Okpebholo defends 4,000 SA appointments
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has defended the planned appointment of 4,000 Special Assistants across the state, describing the move as a deliberate strategy to deepen grassroots governance and reward party members who contributed to the APC’s electoral success.
Speaking during a meeting with All Progressives Congress members from the 18 local government areas of Edo State at Government House, Benin City, the governor dismissed concerns over the scale of the appointments, insisting that the initiative would bring government closer to the people.
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has defended the planned appointment of 4,000 Special Assistants across the state, describing the move as a deliberate strategy to deepen grassroots governance and reward party members who contributed to the APC’s electoral success.
Speaking during a meeting with All Progressives Congress members from the 18 local government areas of Edo State at Government House, Benin City, the governor dismissed concerns over the scale of the appointments, insisting that the initiative would bring government closer to the people.
According to a statement issued by his media aide, Patrick Ebojele, Okpebholo said the appointments reflect his administration’s commitment to inclusive governance and strengthening the party’s presence at the grassroots.
“The victory does not belong to Okpebholo alone,” the governor said. “Appointing 4,000 Special Assistants is not an issue because we all worked for this success. We are taking governance to the grassroots so that whatever comes from the top reaches the people at the bottom.”
He also urged party members to remain united, stressing that the APC remains the platform through which development and opportunities would be delivered across the state.
Earlier, Edo APC Chairman Jarret Tenebe praised the governor for efforts to consolidate and strengthen the party since assuming office. He said the administration had expanded opportunities for party members to participate in governance and benefit from government programmes.
Tenebe disclosed that the governor approved the appointment of 25 Special Assistants in each of the state’s 192 wards, a move expected to produce about 4,800 ward-level appointees. He said party leaders convened the meeting to outline the criteria for selecting beneficiaries and ensure transparency in the process.
To coordinate the exercise, the APC State Working Committee has set up a committee to engage ward structures, monitor compliance with the guidelines and compile nominees for submission to the party headquarters in Benin City.
The meeting drew senior party officials, members of the APC State Working Committee, Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa, the governor’s Chief of Staff, and ward and local government representatives.
The appointments form part of the administration’s broader push to strengthen political structures at the grassroots while expanding participation in governance across Edo State.
