Hon. Barr. (Dr.) Washington Osa Osifo: The Making of a Purposeful Public Servant

In the evolving political landscape of Edo State, where experience, integrity, and competence increasingly define public expectations, Honourable Barrister (Dr.) Washington Osa Osifo stands out as a figure shaped by preparation, principle, and persistence.

His journey into public life is not one of sudden ambition but of deliberate service—built over years of legal practice, academic excellence, executive governance, and grassroots political engagement.

Trained first as a lawyer, Washington Osifo’s early years were marked by an intense engagement with the law as both a profession and a tool for social order. From Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, where he earned his LL.B and LL.M degrees, to the Nigerian Law School in Lagos where he was called to the Bar, Osifo developed a deep respect for due process and constitutionalism.

Rather than limit himself to legal practice alone, he broadened his intellectual horizon with a Master’s degree in Political Science and Public Administration from the University of Benin, and later a Ph.D in Comparative Politics and Development from Igbinedion University, Okada—an academic path that clearly signposted his interest in governance and development.
His transition from private legal practice into public service came with executive responsibility.

Between 2013 and 2016, Osifo served in the Edo State Executive Council, first as Commissioner for Secondary, Technical and Tertiary Education, and later as Commissioner for Energy and Water Resources. In these roles, he was exposed to the real mechanics of governance—policy formulation, budget constraints, service delivery, and the complex balance between political vision and administrative execution.

Colleagues recall a commissioner who combined legal precision with administrative focus, insisting on process while pushing for results.
But executive office was only one chapter. In 2019, Washington Osifo took his political engagement directly to the grassroots when he contested and emerged Member-elect of the Edo State House of Assembly representing Uhunmwode State Constituency.

The election marked a significant endorsement of his leadership by the people and reflected his growing political footprint beyond appointed office. Though the period was not without internal party challenges, Osifo’s response to political adversity reinforced his public image as a man guided by principle. Rather than retreat, he consistently relied on constitutional and legal channels, underscoring his belief that politics must remain anchored in rules and institutions.

His party engagement over the years has been marked by loyalty and discipline, even when it demanded personal sacrifice. Within the All Progressives Congress (APC), Osifo has been an active participant in internal processes, often emphasizing adherence to party constitution and internal democracy.

His insistence on due process during party primaries and internal disputes earned him both allies and critics, but it also cemented his reputation as a politician unwilling to trade principle for convenience.
In January 2025, his experience and institutional memory were again called upon when Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo appointed him Honourable Commissioner for Water Resources and Energy.

Returning to the State Executive Council, Osifo assumed responsibility for one of the most critical sectors affecting daily life—water supply, energy management, and environmental sustainability. The appointment was widely seen as a recognition of his sectoral experience and administrative capacity. In this role, he has continued to advocate sustainable solutions, infrastructure renewal, and policies that directly impact communities across Edo State.

Beyond formal office, Washington Osifo has remained a visible voice in public discourse. Whether speaking on constitutional governance, local government administration, or public accountability, his interventions reflect a consistent theme: that leadership must be lawful, people-centred, and development-driven.

He is known to engage professionals, community leaders, and institutions, reinforcing a leadership style rooted in consultation rather than isolation.
As conversations intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, Osifo’s name has increasingly surfaced in discussions around Orhionmwon/Uhunmwode Federal Constituency.

Stakeholders point to his rare blend of legal intellect, executive experience, legislative exposure, and grassroots connection. To them, his trajectory tells a coherent story—a man prepared by education, tested by governance, and shaped by political engagement.

For many constituents, the appeal of Hon. Barr. (Dr.) Washington Osa Osifo lies not just in the offices he has held, but in the consistency of his values.

His career reflects a steady commitment to service, a respect for institutions, and a belief that public office must translate into tangible benefits for the people.
In a political era often defined by noise and novelty, Osifo represents continuity with purpose—a public servant whose story is still unfolding, but whose foundation is firmly rooted in experience, integrity, and a clear sense of duty to the people he seeks to serve.