The newly sworn-in governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has appointed Barrister Musa Ikhilor as the Secretary to the State Government (SGG).
The appointment, alongside others, was the first to be made by the governor hours after assumption of office on Tuesday.
It was gathered that Barr. Musa Ikhilor, from Esan Central Local Government area, is the first Muslim to occupy a key position in the executive arm of government of the state since 1999.
Muslims in the state have been playing second fiddle in Edo politics for 25 years, despite constituting about 35% of the State population.
The previous Governments starting from Lucky Igbinedion (1999 to 2007), Oserheimen Osunbor (2007-2008), Adams Oshiomhole (2008-2016), Godwin Obaseki (2016-2024) have relegated the Muslim community in the State since Nigeria returned to Democracy in 1999.
The key appointment such as Deputy Governor, SSG, Chief of Staff to the Governor, to the Head of Service, among others, have always been occupied by non Muslims until now that Gov Okpebholo, a Christian, embraced Muslims in the State with the appointment of Barrister Musa Ikhilor.
Although the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate in the 2020 election in the state, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, picked a Muslim, Hon. Gani Audu, as his running mate, he lost the election to the immediate former Gov. Obaseki.
Born on August 6, 1980 at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Edo State, Ikhilor attended Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he obtained an LL.B in 2008 (Second Class Upper Division).
In 2009, he obtained a B.L. (Second class Upper Division) at the Nigerian Law School and was enrolled as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
In 2017, Ikhilor proceeded to acquire his Masters’ degree in Telecommunications Law (LL.M) from Sir Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
Ikhilor has over 11 years of experience in Legislative Drafting, Parliamentary Administration, Lawmaking procedure and processes, Constitutional drafting and amendment, among others.
Barr. Ikhilor also had experience in general legislative governance having worked in various capacities at the National Assembly.
Those close to the newly appointed SSG described him as Da’ee (Caller to Islam) and philanthropist who has rendered humanitarian supports to the needy within and outside the State through Amanatullah Legacy Foundation (ALEF) where he is the Executive Director (ED).
In 2019, he was appointed as a consultant to the Federal House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the review of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, where he has been closely analysing and reviewing matters on Gender Equity, Human Rights, and strengthening Institutions of Government and creating efficient and transparent processes and systems to deliver Good Governance.
Also in 2019, he was appointed as Senior Special Assistant and later Special Adviser to the Deputy Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who also doubled as the 1st Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament.
In May 2022, he was assigned to act as Chief of Staff to the Deputy Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria when the substantive Chief of Staff resigned to contest in the 2023 parliamentary elections.
In June 2022, Barr. Ikhilor was appointed by the Supreme of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a Notary Public.
Barr. Ikhilor is active in Business, Corporate Legal Practice and social works, where he serves as the Managing Partner of Springfield Legal Consult and as the Executive Director & Board of Trustees member of Amanatullah Legacy Foundation. In addition to these roles, he also provides consultancy services to several private and public sector entities. He is married with children.
Others
Also, a former federal lawmaker, Dr. Samson Osagie, has been nominated as the state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, while Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole was nominated as Health Commissioner.
Dr. Cyril is the son of the former Governor Adams Oshiomhole, who is the incumbent Senator representing Edo North senatorial district of the state in the National Assembly.
The appointments were contained in a press statement endorsed by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the governor, Fred Itua, which said the nomination of Osagie and Oshiomhole will be confirmed by the Edo State House of Assembly when their names are forwarded by Governor Okpebholo.
