Group, ex-Commissioner bicker over resignation
A support group of the All Progressives Congress in Edo State, Edo4Asiwaju, has challenged a former Commissioner of Health in Edo State, Prof. David Osifo, to display his letter of
A support group of the All Progressives Congress in Edo State, Edo4Asiwaju, has challenged a former Commissioner of Health in Edo State, Prof. David Osifo, to display his letter of resignation from the University of Benin Teaching Hospital before joining the race to contest for the House of Representatives.
The group said it was shocking that Prof. Osifo declared interest to contest at the primary of the All Progressives Congress to represent Uhunmwode/Orhionmwon federal constituency after throwing his weight behind Dr. Washington Osifo for the same legislative seat.
A statement by the group signed by its Coordinator, Moses Edokpolor, said Professor Osifo remained a staff member of the UBTH, in direct violation of federal civil service rules and recent presidential mandates.
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It said Public Service Rules and the Nigerian Constitution required public servants to resign at least 30 days before an election.
The statement noted that political ethics and specific administration directives demanded immediate resignation upon the commencement of partisan activities.
According to the statement, "With three years still left before his official retirement, the call for Prof. Osifo to exit the classroom and the clinic before entering the political trenches has reached a fever pitch.
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“We are calling on the Minister of Health to demand an immediate letter of resignation from Dr. Osarumwense Osifo. Orhionmwon/Uhunmwode people cannot afford a "part-time" candidate whose primary loyalty is split between his government salary and his political ambitions.
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"The Green Chambers requires a representative who is not silenced by financial patronages or compromised by stomach infrastructure politics.
"If Prof. Osifo cannot be consistent with a simple endorsement, how can he be trusted to stand firm for our constituency when the financial lures of the National Assembly begin to call?
"How can a man of such high academic standing reconcile collecting Christmas patronage from an aspirant in December and then declaring against him in April? It calls into question the consistency and integrity of the leadership he promises."
In his reaction, Dr. Osifo urged the group to do better things with their time.
He said he remained focused on securing the party's ticket.
