The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has approved the appointment of 15 aides, comprising Special Advisers, Advisers and Senior Special Assistants (SSAs).
According to the party, the appointments are intended to strengthen administrative efficiency and strategic coordination at the APC national secretariat. The move is also aimed at improving policy formulation, stakeholder engagement and overall support for the national chairman in the discharge of his responsibilities.
The APC expressed confidence that the newly appointed aides will bring professionalism and experience to enhance the party’s internal operations.
However, the appointments have drawn criticism from stakeholders in the Labour Party (LP), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who described the move as political patronage at a time when many Nigerians are facing severe economic hardship.
Reacting, former ADC National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, said the decision was in line with what he described as a pattern of bloated appointments under the current administration. He questioned the source of funding for the aides’ remuneration and accused the ruling party of acting without regard for the prevailing economic realities.
“When I was ADC National Chairman, I never had more than three aides,” Nwosu said, adding that such appointments do not promote effective political management or national development.
Also speaking, former PDP National Vice Chairman (South-West), Eddy Olafeso, accused the APC of wasteful spending, warning that excessive appointments at the party level reflect broader governance concerns.
“If a national chairman is making such appointments, one can only imagine what is happening at the government level,” Olafeso said.
Similarly, Tanko Yinusa, spokesperson for the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, criticised the APC for what he described as excessive wastage, arguing that greater attention should be given to critical sectors such as education and security amid the country’s ongoing challenges.
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