Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has approved the appointment of 101 aides, comprising Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants, and Special Assistants. The appointments, announced on Monday, take immediate effect. The Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, signed the public service announcement. The appointments are categorized into three tiers: seven Special Advisers, six Senior Special Assistants, and 88 Special Assistants.
The Special Advisers appointed include Chief S.N.C. Nwagu, handling Conflict Resolution and Mediation; Hon. Dr Fidelis Odo, Inter-Governmental Affairs and Co-ordination; and Augustine Okoli, Policy Affairs and Analysis. Others are Hon. Pedro Nwankwo, Stakeholders Relations and Community Affairs; Chimezie Nkwuo, Economic Development; Chief Vitalis Okonkwo, Grassroots Coordination; and Peter Andy Omeje, Commerce and Business Development.
In the Senior Special Assistant category, Rachael Okonkwo was appointed to oversee Film and Creative Industry Development; Barr. Okey Ude, Inter-Party and Mobilisation; and Hon. Chinedu Chukwunwike, Party Monitoring. Others are Barr. Peter Chukwujekwu Ogbe, Legal and Regulatory Compliance; Chukwudi Ozoeluba, Boundary and Land Dispute Resolution; and Frank Udemezue, Small and Medium Enterprise Development.
The bulk of the appointments fell under the Special Assistant category, with portfolios spanning sectors including security, environment, youth engagement, media, and grassroots mobilisation. Some of the appointees include Hon. Alachi Aaron Onu, Forest Protection and Conservation; Dr Okwoigwe Modestus Ndubuisi, Health Facility Maintenance; and Mrs Eucharia Anunobi, Women Mobilisation for Enugu-North Zone.
A political scientist based in Enugu, Dr Ifeanyi Nnamani, said the appointment of aides for portfolios including Inter-Party Affairs, Voter Awareness, and Grassroots Mobilisation suggested a focus on electoral victory in the forthcoming general elections. Dr Nnamani noted that the spread of these appointments, particularly the inclusion of specialists in youth engagement, women mobilisation, and inter-party relations, is a classic pre-election strategy.
According to Dr Nnamani, the appointments aim to strengthen the party's structure at the ward level and ensure that the administration's policies are effectively communicated to the electorate. The appointments take effect immediately, as stated in the public service announcement. The list of appointments includes 101 names, with detailed portfolios.
The appointments have been announced amid various reactions from stakeholders. While some have welcomed the move, others have raised concerns about the large number of appointees. The governor's administration has not commented on the concerns. The list of appointees is available in the public service announcement signed by Prof. Chidiebere Onyia.
Key points
- Governor Peter Mbah appoints 101 aides to support his administration.
- The appointments are categorized into Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants, and Special Assistants.
- The appointments are seen as a pre-election strategy to strengthen the party's structure and communicate policies to the electorate.
