I retired from the IBB regime to preserve my integrity – Odigie-Oyegun

• John Odigie-Oyegun, former APC chairman, revealed refusing compromise as a Permanent Secretary led to his early retirement at 48
• He recounted standing up to military pressure, maintaining integrity, and commended the Edo State government’s honor

Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, a former governor of Edo State and former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, has revealed that his refusal to compromise as Permanent Secretary in the Federal Civil Service during the military regime led to his early retirement at the age of 48.

This revelation was made by Odigie-Oyegun in his closing remarks at the formal commissioning of the John Odigie-Oyegun Public Service Academy, an institution named after him by the Edo State government to commemorate his 84th birthday and 19 years of meritorious service as a federal civil servant.

Odigie-Oyegun said;

I was bold to tell the military what I wanted as a Permanent Secretary to ensure I don’t get into trouble. The Ibrahim Babangida regime then posted me to various ministries, including the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

The first thing the military did was send me a list of people to be retired but I am not the one to retire them but write to the Public Service Commission with reasons. I sat with my commissioner, an Armond Commander in the military, who could not tell me what these people did but said the instructions were from the Supreme Headquarters.

Three military officers were appointed by the IBB regime to supervise the different import licences and I was told that I would be the one to sign all the import licences but I politely refused. I told them I couldn’t do that because I was not responsible for it and where I come from, we don’t behave this way.

Immediately after that conversation, I knew I would be sacked and I went to report myself to the Head of Service of the Federation at that time. I went to my office, and instructed my secretary to prepare a resignation letter, so I could retire before the military could sack me. We all have a decision to make, it requires courage to take major steps to maintain integrity, defend what you stand for.

When there was a crisis at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, I was the only signatory of the Nigerian Passport at that time, I did all my duties and responsibilities, maintaining my integrity. I retired at 48 years after 19 years of service.

The celebrant, who praised the governor for his developmental strides in the state and transformation of the state civil/public service, urged state civil servants to be committed, dedicated, and upright in their service to the state because they would be rewarded for it.

Odigie-Oyegun said;

I thank you Mr. Governor Obaseki and your wife, for honouring me when I am alive. I appreciate you and today I feel very fulfilled for this. I was glad when something was named after me. Getting calls all around the world that they saw a building named after me, I told them my governor did it.’