The chairman of Aboh Mbaise local government area of Imo State, Barr Iheukwumere Alaribe, has sworn-in 80 special assistants to deepen grassroots governance and political participation.
Political observers postulated that these represents one of the largest recent local appointments in the state.
The event, which took place at the LGA council secretariat, was attended by traditional leaders, youth groups, political stakeholders and party faithful – all eager to witness what the chairman called “a strategic empowerment of loyal and competent hands.
“These appointments are not just political. They are a recognition of loyalty, competence and the commitment that these individuals have shown towards the development of Aboh Mbaise and the All Progressives Congress (APC).”
Barr Alaribe emphasised that the newly appointed special assistants were carefully selected based on both “proven capacity and unwavering loyalty to the APC.”
The size of the appointments has raised eyebrows across the local political landscape.
Many have questioned whether 80 assistants – nearly the size of an entire council – are actually necessary or whether the move was simply a way of rewarding political allies ahead of future elections.
The chairman, however, allayed such concerns, stating that the assistants would play critical roles in supporting local councillors, monitoring constituency projects and ensuring the administration’s policies to effectively reach the grassroots.
