Twenty-nine governors were elected during the last polls, but only 12 of them are ‘brand new’. These newly-minted state execs hit the ground running, engaging in all sorts of activities, some of them quite dramatic. Daily Trust Saturday spotlights them. One thing noticed by observers across the states, is that the circumstances that led to the emergence of 12 brand-new governors directly inform the way they are taking decisions as they begin their running of their states’ affairs. While those who were ‘anointed’ tend to take things very gently, those who fought their way appear more ‘extra’ in their approach, leading to all kind of dramatic events.

Ogun

Contrary to high expectations, the new “sheriff” in Ogun State, Governor Dapo Abiodun has been foot-dragging, with observers saying this is because he is a product of many power brokers and he is being careful not to offend any of them. Though a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abiodun is not the preferred candidate of former Governor Ibikunle Amosun, but he made it as a result of support he got elsewhere.

Thursday, June 6, the new governor made his first major appointment with the announcement of Mr. Sunday Olakunle Somorin as his Chief Press Secretary, and it seemed that was all. However, assuming office on May 29, Abiodun inspected some key offices like Finance, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and the Civil Service Commission. Same day, he held a closed-door meeting with heads of security agencies, and the body of permanent secretaries. Next day, he met with members of the State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Suraj Adekunbi.

Our correspondent learnt that the sudden change in the Adekunbi-led legislature, which used to be a tool in Amosun’s hand, is believed to have been engineered by Abiodun, who had threatened to review his predecessor’s valedictory decisions.

The Ogun Assembly had hurriedly passed a bill reversing last-minute appointments of 75 traditional rulers and civil servants, as well as promotions of permanent secretaries by Amosun.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/inside-drama-of-12-brand-new-governors.html

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