THE Edo State Joint Transition Committee for the inauguration of a new government on November 12, 2024, on Friday held its inaugural meeting where both parties expressed commitment to a seamless transition of power from the incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration to the governor elect, Senator Monday Okpebholo.

The governor’s team headed by the Secretary to State Government (SSG), Joseph Eboigbe said there was no secret to hide in the Obaseki administration and promised that all needed documents both in hard and soft copies would be made available and that they were available even outside government to provide any information to clarify issues.

The inaugural joint-session of the Transition Committee was held at the John Odigie-Oyegun Public Service Academy (JOOPSA) with Committee members from both sides in attendance.

Speaking at the inaugural meeting, Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, said the primary objective of the joint meeting was to facilitate a smooth handover of government.

He said “the primary objective of the Transition Committee is to facilitate a smooth handing over of government. We look forward to the collaborative efforts of all members in ensuring a seamless transition.”

On his part, Eboigbe said that the state government put the transition committee in place as far back as July, 2024, with the mandate to ensure that the in-coming government would take off on a smooth note.

He noted that it was the first time that Edo State would be transiting from one government to another and from one political party to another

Eboigbe added that bearing in mind the need for comprehensive data and information, about 90 percent of the committee members from the government side were civil servants from the rank of permanent secretary.

On his part, the Chairman of the governor-elect transition committee, and former deputy governor of the state, Dr Pius Odubu, expressed delight that state government had begun the exercise towards a seamless transition. He said the committee looked forward to working with the committee and cautioned against any attempt to hide data and available information, saying, “Let’s not try to hide information so that the incoming government will be well briefed.”

Odubu urged the committee to work assiduously to ensure that documents, both hard copy and soft copies , were provided to give details for the incoming administration to take off.