2 weeks Ago By Babatope Okeowo
For the first time since the beginning of the present political dispensation, 344 aides, comprising 28 Senior Special Assistants (SSA) and 316 Special Assistants (SA) were appointed in one fell swoop by the state governor, Hon Lucky Aiyedatiwa. The new appointees would join other functionaries, who were functioning in different capacities before the recent announcement. While some people hailed the appointment as the best way to reach the grassroots, others described the appointment as drain on the coffers of the state government.
In fact, congratulatory messages from different groups have poured in for the new appointees. Rejection Two of the appointees; Hon Gbogi Emmanuel and Nicholas Akinbiola rejected the appointments. While Gbogi said he was not consulted before the announcement, Akinbiola said he has an appointment at the federal level.
In a letter addressed to Governor Aiyedatiwa, Gbogi expressed gratitude for being considered, but noted that the appointment came as a shock as no one reached out to confirm his availability. According to him, after the initial announcement of his appointment as the Chairman of the Transition Committee for Akoko South LCDA was cancelled, he returned to his business commitments in the United States, where he currently resides. Gbogi also raised eyebrows over the fact that his name was the only one removed from the list of appointees across the state.
He said that the situation left him feeling sidelined and undervalued by the administration and the party. His words; “That decision made it clear to me that my presence was no longer required in the affairs of the state. I cannot, in good conscience, take up an offer that doesn’t align with my capabilities or values.
” Akinbiola, a former Chairman of Irele Local Government Area in Ondo State, currently serves as the Senior Special Assistant to the Deputy Senate President. In a letter to the Governor, he expressed his gratitude, but pointed out that his present role at the federal level makes it impossible for him to accept the position. His words; “I appreciate the honour of being appointed as a Special Assistant in your administration.
“However, I must respectfully decline the appointment due to my ongoing responsibilities as a Senior Special Assistant to the Deputy Senate President. I remain committed to the APC’s success and your victory in the next gubernatorial election.” Ajayi, PDP kick The governorship candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon Agboola Ajayi and his party, described the appointment as a way to fritter away the scarce resources of the government.
The spokesperson of Ajayi’s Campaign Organisation, Mr Ayo Fadaka, said of the appointments “it’s a ridiculous action by a Governor, who is at sea over choices to make for the advancement of our state, confused largely over what should extend the frontiers of our development, but chose to prosecute petty partisanship desires at the expense of good governance. This again confirmed his unsuitability for the Governorship seat he currently occupies, which he consistently uses to retard our quest for economic and societal growth.” He added, “To appoint 340 aides with no specific governmental responsibilities and defined functions is criminal, particularly when due cognisance is taken of the fact that their remunerations per month is going to cost government about N1.
2billion. In fact, their number and resources to be expended on them is enough to begin a new ministry! We declare that it is ridiculous and wrong for Lucky Aiyedatiwa to appoint APC Ward canvassers as Senior Special Assistants and Special Assistants. Ondo State has never been this unlucky! We however assure him and his party that this trick will not work, the people of Ondo State have since rejected him and his party of hardship, pains and hunger, APC.
They are merely waiting for November 16 to firmly stamp it at the polls, therefore they will punish them accordingly at the polls.” Similarly, the PDP, through its Director of Media and Publicity, Mr Leye Igbagbo, described the appointments as the ‘last kick of a dying horse’. According to him, “The recently released list of appointments of 28 Senior Special Assistants and 316 Special Assistants by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa without portfolios in these times when every sensible government is trying to bring down the humongous cost of governance is condemnable.
Only a clueless governor can contemplate such a drain pipe on taxpayers’ funds. It is indeed tragic that governance in our Sunshine State, which used to be a reference point and a benchmark for innovative governance, could be brought to this disgusting level and abrupt halt such that nothing is moving in any positive direction again. It is lamentable that the governor cannot, in good conscience, clearly point to any tangible project he has executed with the over N100bn that has entered Ondo State under his watch in the last eight months through federal allocations, palliatives and other bailouts.
The state capital, Akure, has become a putrefying dumping site, where horrible odour oozes out with imminent breakout of an epidemic. Unfortunately, the health facilities are just nonexistent to take care of any such incidents. The majority of the roads awarded by the government have been recklessly abandoned leaving the residents of the affected areas in nightmares, severe anguish and avoidable trauma that are hard to fathom.
A government which gave paucity of funds as lame excuse for non-performance can mindlessly choose to waste the tax payers’ money on such mass appointments just to realize a personal ambition that has even become a stillbirth before the delivery date. Our party counsels that the earlier the governor comes to terms with the reality of his imminent defeat in the forthcoming gubernatorial election the better for his psychological and emotional stability after the election because the masses have now become wiser knowing full well the consequences of going for the highest bidder in any election. Their bitter experiences in the hands of APC and the hard lessons learnt from the deceit and propaganda employed in taking over the government will surely be displayed against the governor in the November 16, gubernatorial election.
” NNPP, Edema chide Governor over appointments The Olugbenga Edema Campaign Organisation of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) also slammed Governor Aiyedatiwa over the recent appointment of 344 Special Assistants (SAs) and Senior Special Assistants (SSAs). Edema described the move as “insensitive” and “misguided,” particularly given the current economic challenges facing the people of the state. The spokesperson of the campaign organisation, Oluwatosin Ayeni, stressed in a statement that the timing of the appointments, coming barely two months before the forthcoming elections, calls for concern.
According to Edema, the Governor’s actions were a strategy to secure political loyalty rather than genuinely addressing the needs of the people, emphasising that the financial implications of such appointments, funded by the state’s coffers, are troubling in light of the prevailing economic hardship. He 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, Aiyedatiwa continues to plunder and waste the resources of the state.” State Government, APC react The state government said that the appointment was for the greatest happiness for the greatest number of the citizens.
The Governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Strategic Communication, Mr Allen Sowore, said in a statement that the governor’s decision to approve this ‘extensive list’ of appointments was a carefully considered move to strengthen governance, especially at the grassroots level. He said that the appointments reflected the collective decision of key stakeholders in the state. He said; “The appointments reflect the state’s geographical diversity, encompassing the 18 local government areas and 203 political wards.
In keeping with his commitment to an inclusive and efficient administration, Governor Aiyedatiwa is already making plans to appoint more competent, qualified, and dedicated individuals to serve in government agencies, boards, and parastatals. The administration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa is focused on delivering the greatest happiness to the greatest number of people in Ondo State.” Similarly, the All Progressives Congress (APC) described the appointments made by Governor Aiyedatiwa as a strategic move to drive development and progress in the state.
The Director of Media and Publicity of the ruling party, Mr Steve Otaloro, 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.” He added, “These appointments are not superfluous as claimed by the PDP, but rather they are a strategic move to harness the expertise and skills of the indigenes of Ondo State to drive development and progress. We want to remind the PDP that governance is not a solo affair, but a collective responsibility that requires the input of diverse stakeholders.
The appointments by Governor Aiyedatiwa are a testament to his commitment to inclusive governance and his desire to tap into the vast human resources available in Ondo State. The allegations against Governor Aiyedatiwa are false as they were done with political undertones targeted solely at the November 16 governorship election. We urge the good people of Ondo State to discern the truth and see through the PDP’s desperate attempts to discredit our performing governor.
It is however, laughable that the PDP, which has a track record of mismanaging resources and prioritizing selfish interests, is now crying foul over Governor Aiyedatiwa’s prudent decision to engage more hands in governance. Their criticism is a clear case of the pot calling the kettle black. Governor Aiyedatiwa remains committed to delivering the dividends of democracy to the people of Ondo State, while supporting the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to turnaround Nigeria’s economy.
We assure the people of Ondo State that our governor will not be distracted by the PDP’s baseless allegations and will continue to work tirelessly for their benefit.We urge the people of Ondo State to remain focused and they should not be swayed by the PDP’s propaganda and misinformation. Our Governor is working hard to ensure that Ondo State remains on the path of progress and development.
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