Appointing 344 aides amid economic downturn, insensitive – Edema slams Aiyedatiwa

The governorship candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, in the forthcoming governorship election in Ondo State at the weekend, described the appointment of 344 Special Assistants, SAs and Senior Special Assistants, SSAs, by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, as misguided.

While emphasising that Aiyedatiwa’s action was insensitive, Edema stated that making such appointments amid the current economic downturn bore signs of misdirection on the part of the APC-led administration in the state.

Aiyedatiwa had on Friday 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, stressing that the appointments will enhance smooth governance.

However, the spokesperson of the Olugbenga Edema Campaign Organisation, Oluwatosin Ayeni, said the timing of the appointments, three months before the forthcoming elections, called for concern.

Edema added that the financial implications of such appointments, funded by the state’s coffers, are troubling in light of the prevailing economic hardship.

“At a time when the people are grappling with financial difficulties, such appointments represent a gross misdirection of government priorities.

If Aiyedatiwa is suggesting that he has appointed campaign coordinators under the guise of SAs and SSAs, it reveals a high degree of insensitivity.

“One can imagine the positive drives that would have occurred in our communities if those resources were channelled towards education, healthcare, or infrastructure instead of being spent on positions that will add zero value to governance and the lives of our people.

“Despite the arguments that government spending should be curtailed, Aiyedatiwa continues to plunder and waste the resources of the state.”