A former governor of Edo State and former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, has said his firm decision to turned down a bribe offer during his days as the Federal Civil Service as Permanent Secretary, during the military regime led to his early retirement at the age 48 years.
In his words, “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.
Odigie-Oyegun continued, “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.”
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