Edema Condemns Appointment Of Over 344 Aides By Aiyedatiwa – Independent Newspaper Nigeria
… It’s To Drive Development, Progress -APC
BOLU-OLU ESHO, Akure
The recent mass appointments of Senior Special Assistants and Special Assistants announced by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has continued to generate more criticism from the public and politicians alike.
Governor candidate of New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in the forthcoming off-cycle governorship election in the state, Olugbenga Edema has condemned the bloated appointments.
He described the move by the governor as “insensitive and misguided” in the face of the current socio-economic challenges in the state.
This was contained in a statement signed by Oluwatosin Ayeni, spokesman of The Olugbenga Edema Campaign Organisation made available to newsmen in Akure on Sunday.
Edema noted that the appointments called for suspicion, as it was done just two months to the gubernatorial election.
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He observed that rather than solving the socio-economic challenges being faced by the people of the state, the governor was luring members of his party to loyalty with the people’s money ahead of the November 16, 2024 gubernatorial poll.
Edema said: “If Aiyedatiwa is suggesting that he has appointed campaign coordinators under the guise of SAs and SSAs, it reveals a high degree of insensitivity.
“At a time when the people are grappling with financial difficulties, such appointments represent a gross misdirection of government priorities.
“Assuming each of the newly appointed aides earns an estimated monthly salary of N300,000, imagine the positive changes that would have done in our communities if those resources were invested in education, healthcare, or infrastructure instead of being spent on positions that will add zero value to governance and the lives of our people.
“With the arguments that government spending should be curtailed, yet Aiyedatiwa continues to plunder and waste the resources of the state.”
However, Director, Media and Publicity of All Progressives Congress(APC), Steve Otaloro described the appointments as strategic move to drive development and progress in the state.
He said: “Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s recent appointments are a fulfillment of his earlier promise to engage more people in running his government, adding value to governance, and strengthening our democracy.
“These appointments are not superfluous, as claimed, but rather a strategic move to harness the expertise and skills of Ondo State indigenes to drive development and progress.”