...Appointments, strategic move to harness expertise development, progress - Ondo APC
Governorship candidate of the New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP) in Ondo state, Hon Olugbenga Edema, has described the appointments of 349 Special Assistants (SAs) and Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) as insensitive and misguided particularly given the current economic challenges facing the people of the state.
Edema, through his Campaign Organisation, slammed the governor over the recent appointments.
Recall that Aiyedatiwa had through his Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, disclosed that the appointments were spread across the 18 Local Government Areas, 33 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), and 203 political wards in the state, adding that the appointments will further aide governance and smooth administration in the state.
Spokesperson of the Edema campaign organisation, Oluwatosin Ayeni, in a statement issued over the weekend, said that the timing of the appointments, coming just three 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, yet Aiyedatiwa continues to plunder and waste the resources of the state."
But reacting, the states Director, Media & Publicity of the APC, Steve Otaloro, said that the appointment was strategic move to drive development and progress in the state.
Otaloro said that "It is evident that the PDP has run out of ideas and talking points to engage our party in constructive criticism and run an issue-based governorship campaign.
"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 by the PDP, but rather a strategic move to harness the expertise and skills of Ondo State indigenes to drive development and progress.
"Furthermore, we want to remind the PDP that governance is not a solo affair, but a collective responsibility that requires the input of diverse stakeholders.
" Governor Aiyedatiwa's appointments are a testament to his commitment to inclusive governance and his desire to tap into the vast human resources available in Ondo State.
"These allegations against Governor Aiyedatiwa are false, 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.
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"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 renowned 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.
Otaloro urged" the people of Ondo State to remain focused and 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.
