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From Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin
The Edo State Commissioner for Water Resources and Sanitation, Washington Osifo, on Wednesday said he tendered his resignation letter in accordance with the electoral law, which requires all political appointees interested in contesting elective positions to resign 30 days before party primaries.
He disclosed this when he visited the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State Council, to inform members of his decision to contest the Uhunmwode/Orhionmwon Federal Constituency seat.
“That, in obedience to the law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria – in this case, we are talking about the Electoral Act and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria – and my conscience and the call of my people to service at a higher realm.
“And you are all aware that the electoral umpire, which is INEC, a few weeks ago released a revised timetable that constituted the electoral process to the extent that this very next month of April, sometime around the 22nd through to the 20th of May, that the primaries of all political parties must take place within that period and their appeals therefore must be concluded.
“And what that means is that today is already March and next month is April. The law requires that 30 days before the primaries, a holder of public office – in this case, not elected but appointed – the duty that is naturally imposed on you by law is to resign,” Osifo said.
Osifo said that tendering his resignation on time would enable him to engage with the people of his constituency rather than doing so at the eleventh hour.
The former commissioner added that, having served as commissioner in the state, he decided to take a step higher by contesting for the House of Representatives, where he can break new ground and contribute his quota to the overall good of Nigerians.
“This is my third time as a commissioner. I’m not proud to say that it’s too small, it’s very big.
“But the truth is that when you continue to hold one position for far too long, all right? The essence of living continues to diminish.
“There are no more challenges. I have been a member of the State Security Council; this is my third time.
“Now, there is nothing I don’t know there. There is nothing new for me to offer at this level.
“I want to go to a place where I have to crack my brains, confront new challenges, provide new answers that would leave your mark in another level.
“This is where I seek to serve my people, and I called myself three years ago, all right? But my people are the ones calling me now.
“That is the situation between now and then,” Osifo said.
On his part, the Chairman, NUJ, Edo State Council, Dr Festus Alenkhe, commended Osifo for deciding to aim higher in his political career.
He also appealed to journalists in the state to always verify their stories before going to press, as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections.
Meanwhile, Osifo announced the appointment of Evang Tony Osazuwa, PhD, as the Director General of his campaign organisation in Orhionmwon/Uhunmwode Federal Constituency.
