Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has approved the appointment of 4,800 special assistants as part of efforts to strengthen grassroots governance and deepen the participation of All Progressives Congress members in his administration.

Okpebholo disclosed this on Monday during a meeting with APC members from the 18 local government areas of the state at the Government House, Benin City.

According to a statement by the governor’s media aide, Patrick Ebojele, Okpebholo said the appointments were aimed at taking governance and government programmes to the grassroots.

He said development opportunities and government initiatives should extend from the state level to the wards.

Speaking on the appointment of the aides, the governor said it was in recognition of the collective efforts of APC members towards the party’s electoral victory.

“I want to say good morning to everybody and tell you that I love you all. I want to let you know that the party is our party. We don’t have any other party than APC.

“So, we are taking governance to the grassroots, so that whatever is from the top will also go down to the bottom.

“Appointing 4,800 SAs is not an issue at all because we all worked for this victory. The victory does not belong to Okpebholo alone,” he said, while thanking APC members for their support.

Earlier, the APC state chairman, Jarret Tenebe, commended the governor for his efforts to reposition and strengthen the party since assuming office.

Tenebe said the APC had become more active and stable under Okpebholo, adding that the governor had created opportunities for party members to participate in governance and take the dividends of democracy to the grassroots.

He said the governor had approved the appointment of 25 SAs in each of the 192 wards across the state, bringing the total to 4,800.

According to Tenebe, the meeting with ward chairmen and other party members was convened to explain the criteria and guidelines for selecting beneficiaries of the appointments.

“In his magnanimity, the governor has decided to appoint 25 SAs in each of the wards in 192 wards across the state. And that is the reason why we decided to invite ward chairmen and members to this meeting, so we can tell you the criteria to select these people that will benefit from this appointment,” he said.

Tenebe added that the APC State Working Committee had constituted a committee to liaise with the various wards and ensure compliance with the guidelines for the selection process.

The committee, he said, would compile the names of qualified nominees and forward them to the party headquarters in Benin City.

The APC chairman also commended the administration for creating opportunities for the party to operate more effectively, including plans to provide a vehicle for its activities.

He said the administration had also supported APC candidates in the local government elections, including councillors and council chairmen, describing the measures as part of efforts to strengthen the party’s grassroots structure.

The meeting was attended by members of the APC State Working Committee, Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, ward chairmen and other party representatives from the 18 local government areas.