The opposition Social Democratic Party in Kogi State, on Tuesday, tackled Governor Ahmed Ododo for appointing 1,192 new aides.
The appointments were announced in a Monday statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Folashde Ayoade.
“The aides include Yakubu Nasir Abdulhakeem, who is to serve as the Executive Secretary, Kogi State Office for Disability, 165 Senior Special Assistants and 36 Special Assistants.
“Others on the list approved by the Governor are: 574 Ward Special Assistants and 290 Local Government Special Assistants.
“Similarly, Governor Ododo also approved the appointment of Alhaji Ibrahim Abdulsadiq as the Director of Protocol, First Lady Office, in addition to other retinue of aides,” the SSG said in the statement.
While noting that the appointment would take effect from September 1, 2024, Ayoade quoted the governor as congratulating the new appointees and urging them to put in their very best in service of the state.
However, speaking with our correspondent on Tuesday, the Director of Media for the SDP campaign organisation in Kogi State, David Ijele, berated Governor Ododo, describing the appointment as a misplaced priority.
“They haven’t paid those who laboured for the state, yet they are employing youths to be used as thugs,” Ijele said.
He vowed that Ododo’s days in office were numbered, insisting that the Supreme Court would rule in favour of the SDP candidate, Yakubu Ajaka, who is challenging the election that brought Ododo to power.
“The Constitution is very clear on the BVAS, and we believe the Supreme Court will give justice to the people of Kogi State and chase these charlatans out of Lugard House,” Ijele said.