Parties disagree over Aiyedatiwa’s appointment of 344 aides

September 09, 2024

The Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has appointed a staggering 344 aides, just two months before the state’s Governorship election.

The appointments, announced on Friday, include 28 senior special assistants and 316 special assistants.

While the Governor’s spokesperson, Ebenezer Adeniyan, claims the move will enhance governance and service delivery, opposition parties are crying foul.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP) have condemned the appointments as a blatant attempt to buy votes and influence the outcome of the election.

“This is a clear case of abuse of power and a drain on taxpayers’ funds,” said a PDP spokesperson. “The governor is desperate to cling to power and is willing to do whatever it takes to achieve his goal.”

a statement on Sunday, Leye Igbabo, PDP spokesperson, noted that the governor made the appointments at a difficult time when other governments were cutting the cost of governance.

“These last-minute appointments are conceived to hoodwink the appointees who have become disillusioned with a colourless and directionless state ship. It is intended to chain them to a sinking boat. They are, indeed the last kicks of a dying horse.

“Our party counsels that the earlier the governor comes to terms with the reality of his imminent defeat in the forthcoming gubernatorial election, the better for his psychological and emotional stability after the election because the masses have now become wiser, knowing fully well, the consequences of going for the highest bidder in any elections.

“Their bitter experiences in the hands of APC and the hard lessons learnt from the deceit and propaganda employed in taking over the government will surely be displayed against the governor at the November 16 gubernatorial election.”

The NNPP also weighed in, stating that the appointments are “a slap in the face of Ondo State residents who are struggling to make ends meet.”

As the controversy continues to simmer, observers are left wondering about the governor’s true motives. Is this a genuine attempt to improve governance, or a cynical ploy to retain power? Only time will tell.