Gov Okpebholo Names Oshiomhole Loyalist as New Chief of Staff in Edo

In a strategic move, Edo State Governor Okpebholo appoints an Oshiomhole loyalist as Chief of Staff, signaling strengthened political collaboration.  

A few days after Governor Monday Okpebholo appointed Cyril Oshiomhole, son of Senator Adams Oshiomhole, as the Commissioner for Health designate, he has also approved Gani Audu’s appointment as his new Chief of Staff.

According to PlatinumPost, Audu—a former chairman of the Etsako West local government and one of the 14 lawmakers-elect who were not inaugurated into the Edo State House of Assembly from 2019 to 2023—is a devoted supporter of Oshiomhole.

In a statement issued on Friday by the Secretary to the State Government, Musa Ikhilor, the governor emphasized that Audu’s appointment is intended to drive substantial reforms across the state.

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The announcement stated, “For the general public’s information, especially for the citizens of Edo State, Governor Monday Okpebholo has officially approved Gani Audu as his Chief of Staff.”

“The appointment is effective immediately.”

Audu was born on August 18, 1969. He earned an HND from Auchi Polytechnic in 1994, a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration from Benson Idahosa University in 2011, and is pursuing an M.Sc. in Intelligence and Global Security at Baze University, Abuja (expected completion: 2024).

Audu was the Chairman of Etsako West Local Government Council from 2004 until 2010 and later represented Etsako West Constituency 1 as a member of the Edo State House of Assembly from 2015 to 2019.

He also served as the deputy governorship candidate for the All Progressives Congress in the 2020 Edo State Governorship election.