Edo North Senator Adams Oshiomhole has broken his silence over the appointment of his son, Cyril, as commissioner for health in Edo State.
Oshiomhole said on Channels TV on Wednesday night that he expressed his concerns to the governor over the appointment, citing possible nepotism accusations, but the governor maintained his decision.
In November, Oshiomhole’s ally, Governor Monday Okphebolo, appointed Cyril as health commissioner just after the new governor was sworn in.
The appointment has attracted a barrage of criticisms from persons who described the act as a state capture and a reward for the senator’s support for the governor’s election.
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But the former governor of Edo State said he had stopped his son twice from contesting for the House of Representatives to avoid similar accusations, but as an adult he can’t continue thwarting his destiny.
According to him, his son was not only picked because he was Oshiomhole; rather, he qualified for the position having graduated as a medical doctor from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) and did his post-graduate in two universities in the US.
The lawmaker said, “He doesn’t work under me; maybe Governor Monday is grooming him. When I was in Edo, I stopped him when he wanted to go for the House of Reps. I said no and supported another guy. The second time he wanted to try, I said no. This time the governor decided to pick him. He is qualified.
“I did express my concerns when I heard. I called him and expressed my concerns. I expressed those concerns to the governor that people might say this and that.
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“Those were the reasons why I stopped him from contesting elections when I was in office, but then I have to accept that in the world that we live in, you can only do so much to control your son but not when he is already of adult age.
“But the point must be made: I invested in my children’s education. I didn’t want them to go through what I went through. So, Dr. Cyril is not just a medical doctor from ABU (Ahmadu Bello University); he went to do post-graduate studies at two universities in the US, including Harvard and another university in Louisiana. He does something about public health.
“So, he is not having it because he is Oshiomhole; I will say he is having it in spite of being Oshiomhole.”