Facts have emerged on the modus operandi for the 344 Special Assistants recently appointed by the Governor of Ondo State, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
Thefrontrank findings revealed that each of the aides will receive the sum of N300,000 monthly, and mandated to appoint two Personal Assistants each from their constituency.
Besides, each of the new Special Assistants is to donate branded souvenirs with the pictures of Aiyedatiwa and the All Progressives Congress(APC) to the governor’s campaign council.
The directive was handed over to the new Special Assistants during their induction in Akure which was presided by a senior cabinet member.
On Friday, September 6, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Ebenezer Adeniyan, announced the appointment of 344 Special Assistants, claiming it was a “continuation of efforts to enhance governance and service delivery to the people of the state.”
According to Adeniyan, the new appointments spread across the 18 Local Government Areas, 33 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) and 203 political wards in the state.
However, no portfolio was attached to their names fuelling the allegation that they were appointed primarily as “Local Government and Ward canvassers ” for the November 16 governorship election.
Some of the newly appointed Special Assistants told Thefrontrank that they were informed at induction that the purpose of their appointment is to campaign and canvas for the victory of Aiyedatiwa in the November governorship election.
According to them, the government simply informed the appointees that apart from their monthly salary there will be no other remuneration and no office accommodation.
“We were told that our monthly salary is N300,000 and we must appoint two Personal Assistants which must be from our constituency and pay them from our monthly salary.
“Besides, we were directed to have branded souvenirs with the picture of the governor and the logo of our party(APC) which must be presented to the campaign council ,” he said.
Lamenting, the appointee said: “How can one survive with these conditions, if I’m to pay each of the PAs at least N50,000 monthly and brand souvenirs for the governor’s election. Already, people have started demanding from me.
“Unfortunately, after the November election, the appointment will not be relevant because it is based on political expedience. We all know that the purpose of the appointment is to canvas for the governorship election.”
