Adams Oshiomhole defends son’s appointment as Edo commissioner

Former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has defended the appointment of his son, Cyril Oshiomhole, as the state’s Commissioner for Health.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, Oshiomhole stated that Cyril, a medical doctor, is fully qualified to hold the position.

Cyril’s nomination came from Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, a close ally of Oshiomhole. He was subsequently sworn into office on November 19, 2024, at the Government House in Benin City.

When questioned about his support for the appointment, Oshiomhole disclosed that he had initially raised concerns with the governor regarding the decision. However, he expressed confidence in Cyril’s qualifications and ability to contribute effectively to the health sector in Edo State.

His words: “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.

“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 in 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 in spite of being Oshiomhole.”