posted October 3, 2023
The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, inaugurated a total of 34 Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) and 152 Special Assistants (SAs) in five local government areas within the Edo South Senatorial District of the state. These newly appointed officials have been tasked with playing a crucial role in grassroots development and serving as bearers of truth in their respective areas of responsibility.
The appointees were chosen from Ikpoba-Okha, Oredo, Ovia South West, Ovia North East, and Orhionmwon local government councils in Edo South Senatorial District.
Appointments for the remaining two local government areas within the senatorial district will be announced once the party finalizes the selection of credible members.
Governor Obaseki emphasized the importance of appointees being residents in their respective local governments to actively engage in local development efforts.
He stated that the role of these appointees is not just for show but involves real work. They are expected to work closely with SSAs, coordinate activities, provide monthly reports, and maintain strong connections with the local communities.
The governor also urged the appointees to promote the interests of their political party and be prepared to counter any false information or lies from political opponents.
“You all are my appointees, you work for me not the local government. We are working in all the wards in Edo State; we have teachers, health workers, and many others as we work together to develop the State. We want people on the ground to communicate to the people what we are doing and also want feedback from them.
“This is not a fancy appointment but involves real work this time around. You have SSAs who you work with and will coordinate your activities and give me a monthly report of what is going on. You must show me your contacts and relationship with the people and show me the medium of communication to ensure a real impact in all the wards.
“You all belong to our party as your appointment is based on the fact that you belong to our party and must show commitment towards that. You must promote the interest of the party. The people have decided to follow our party and it showed at the last local government election in the State.”
According to him, “I am passionate about the poorest of the poor in the State, let me know those who can’t feed and eat in your various local governments to enable the government to send palliative measures to them as we must care for our people. We must know those children that can’t go to school. We must know the state of our schools. We pay civil servants to work and want you to be our eyes to know those who are really working.”
The governor added, “We want unity in our party because we are in charge and the party to beat. Election is coming and politicians will throw all sorts of lies to discredit our party. Your role is to put things in the right perspective as you are the bearers of the truth of what the government is doing and make sure you are there to correct any lies they put out there. You must counter all the lies they put out on social media. I have faith in you to do well and accomplish the goal set out for you.”
Dr. Anthony Aziegbemi, the Edo State Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), congratulated the newly inaugurated officials and highlighted the importance of their roles in upcoming political activities.
“If you were SSAs or SAs in the last dispensation, the work is different this time around because there is a lot of work to do for the party. We know that you are ready to help the party to win the governorship election next year. The interest of the party is towards the 21st of September next year.”
The ceremony was attended by several prominent figures, including the Secretary to the Edo State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Osaigbovo Iyoha, the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Blessing Agbebaku and other party leaders and members across the state’s 18 local government areas.