Olugbenga Edema, the governorship candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party(NNPP) in Ondo State, has described the appointment of 344 Special Assistants by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa as misguided and insensitive.
Edema emphasised that making such appointments amid the current economic hardship in the country was a sign of misdirection on the part of the ruling APC in the state.
Aiyedatiwa had on Friday announced that the appointments were spread across the 18 local government areas, 33 local council development areas and 203 political wards in the state.
A statement issued on Sunday by the Spokesperson for the Olugbenga Edema Campaign Organisation, Oluwatosin Ayeni, said the timing of the appointments, two months before the November 16 election, called for concern.
Edema noted that the financial implications of such appointments on the state are troubling in light of the prevailing economic situation in the nation.
“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,” he stated.
