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A civil society organisation, the Centre for Better Society in Nigeria (CBSN), has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to appointed public office holders in Edo State who are nursing ambitions for elective positions to either resign their appointments or suspend their political aspirations.
The group warned that failure to comply may result in legal action challenging their continued stay in office.
In a statement by its Executive Secretary, Obue Kennedy Edetalen, CBSN expressed concern over what it described as the growing involvement of serving political appointees in partisan activities while still holding public office.
The organisation said such actions have generated widespread public concern and called on affected officials to conduct their affairs in line with constitutional and statutory provisions. “It is troubling that serving public office holders are openly engaging in partisan political activities without first stepping down from their appointments as required by law,” the statement read.
CBSN argued that while political participation is a constitutional right, it is not without limitations for public office holders. Citing Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the group acknowledged that every citizen has the right to associate and belong to any political party.
However, it maintained that this right must be balanced against the obligations attached to public office.
The group also referenced Section 196(1) of the Constitution, which stipulates that a Commissioner shall not, during the period he holds office, engage in any other executive office or paid employment.
Although the provision speaks specifically to executive roles and employment, CBSN said it reinforces the principle that public office holders must devote their full loyalty and attention to their official duties.
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More directly, the group cited Rule 030422 of the Public Service Rules (PSR) 2021, which states that no officer shall engage in partisan political activities and that any officer wishing to do so must first resign his or her appointment.
Additionally, CBSN pointed to Paragraph 1 of Part I of the Fifth Schedule to the Constitution, which provides that public officers must not place themselves in positions where their personal interests conflict with their official responsibilities.
“Taken together, these provisions underscore a guiding principle: public office demands neutrality, undivided loyalty and freedom from conflicting political interests,” Edetalen said.
Beyond the legal considerations, the group stressed the ethical implications of such conduct, describing public office as a trust that requires adherence not only to the letter of the law but also its spirit.
“When a serving Commissioner publicly advances partisan political ambitions without first resigning, it raises concerns about divided attention, potential abuse of office and erosion of institutional integrity,” the statement added.
CBSN maintained that while political aspirations are legitimate in a democratic society, they must be pursued within the boundaries of the law.
The group said it would not hesitate to seek judicial intervention if affected officials fail to comply with the 48-hour ultimatum, reiterating its call for accountability and strict adherence to constitutional provisions in Edo State.
