Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening the All Progressives Congress (APC) and taking governance to the grassroots.
Okpebholo made the commitment on Monday during a meeting with APC members from the state’s 18 local government areas at the Government House in Benin.
He thanked party members for their support and stressed the need for unity within the party.
“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 the governance to the grassroots so that whatever is from the top will also go down to the bottom,” he said.
The governor said his administration would continue working to ensure governance reached the grassroots, adding that development and opportunities must move from the state level down to the wards.
He also said the appointment of 4,000 special assistants (SAs) was not an issue, noting that the APC’s victory was a collective effort.
”Appointing 4,000 SAs is not an issue at all because we all worked for this victory; the victory does not belong to Okpebholo alone,” he said.
Earlier, APC state chairman Jarret Tenebe praised the governor for his efforts to reposition and strengthen the party since taking office.
Tenebe said the APC had become more active and stable under Okpebholo, adding that the governor had created opportunities for members to take part in governance.
He said the administration had also made provisions for the party to operate more effectively, including plans to provide a vehicle for its activities.
Tenebe said several APC members had been considered for appointments as special assistants and that the governor had approved 25 special assistants in each of the 192 wards across the state.
He said the meeting was held to explain the criteria and guidelines for selecting beneficiaries.
