Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has approved the appointment of 4,825 special assistants (SAs) as part of efforts to deepen grassroots participation in governance.

The appointments comprise 25 special assistants in each of the 192 political wards across the state.

Edo State APC Chairman, Jarret Tenebe, disclosed this during a meeting between the governor and APC members from the state’s 18 local government areas.

Tenebe said the appointments would provide more opportunities for party members to participate in governance and extend the benefits of government programmes to communities at the grassroots.

He explained that the meeting with ward chairmen and party members was organised to communicate the criteria and guidelines for selecting beneficiaries.

According to him, the APC State Working Committee had also constituted a committee to liaise with the various wards and ensure compliance with the stipulated guidelines.

Tenebe commended Okpebholo for what he described as efforts to reposition and strengthen the party, saying the APC had become more active and stable under his administration.

Speaking at the meeting, Governor Okpebholo reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening the APC and taking governance closer to the people.

He said the appointments were a collective reward for party members who contributed to the party’s electoral victory.

“Appointing 4,000 SAs is not an issue at all because we all work for this victory. The victory does not belong to Okpebholo alone,” he said.