Okpebholo approves 25 special assistants per ward as APC moves to strengthen grassroots structure.
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has approved the appointment of 4,800 special assistants to strengthen government presence across the state’s 192 wards.
Okpebholo announced the approval on Monday during a meeting with members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the 18 local government areas at the Government House in Benin City.
The governor said the initiative was aimed at taking governance closer to the people and ensuring that government programmes, opportunities and development reach communities across the state.
“So we are taking the governance to the grassroots so that whatever is from the top will also go down to the bottom,” Okpebholo said.
He also reaffirmed his commitment to the APC, saying the approval was part of efforts to reward party members who contributed to the party’s electoral victory.
According to Edo APC Chairman, Jarret Tenebe, the governor approved 25 special assistant positions for each of the 192 wards.
Tenebe said the meeting was organised to brief ward chairmen and party members on the criteria and guidelines for selecting the beneficiaries.
The APC State Working Committee has constituted a committee to work with the various wards, ensure compliance with the guidelines and compile the names of qualified nominees for submission to the party headquarters in Benin City.
Tenebe said the APC had become more active and stable under Okpebholo’s administration and disclosed plans for the party to receive a vehicle to support its activities.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa, Chief of Staff to the Governor, members of the APC State Working Committee, ward chairmen and other party representatives.
The development is expected to strengthen coordination between the Edo State Government and the APC structure across the 18 local government areas and 192 wards.