APC Chieftain Hails Okpebholo’s 4,800 Aides, Says Appointments Will Deepen Grassroots Governance In Edo

An All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain and political strategist, Prince Kelly Udebhulu, has hailed Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, over the appointment of 4,800 Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) and Special Assistants (SAs) across the 192 wards of the state, describing the initiative as a bold demonstration of inclusive governance and grassroots participation.

Udebhulu said the appointments had the potential to significantly strengthen the relationship between the government and the people, particularly by creating a wider network of engagement across communities and ensuring that citizens at the grassroots have a stronger connection with the administration.

In a statement on the development, the APC chieftain described the appointments as evidence of Governor Okpebholo’s belief in participatory governance and his philosophy that political structures should accommodate and empower people at the grassroots.

According to him, the decision to extend appointments across all 192 wards is significant because the ward remains one of the most important structures for political mobilisation, community engagement and communication between political leadership and the electorate.

He said the initiative would provide an opportunity for the administration to deepen its grassroots presence, communicate government policies more effectively and receive feedback from citizens on issues affecting their communities.

Udebhulu noted that governance becomes more meaningful when government is accessible to the people and when citizens have avenues through which their concerns, expectations and suggestions can reach those responsible for policymaking.

He said the reported 4,800 appointments should therefore not be viewed merely from the perspective of the number of political positions created, but as an opportunity to establish a stronger communication bridge between the administration and communities across Edo State.

“The party belongs to all of us,” Udebhulu said, stressing that every committed member and supporter has a role to play in building a stronger political family and contributing to the development of the state.

He said the initiative also reflected the need to sustain political participation beyond election periods, arguing that citizens and party members who participate in the political process should continue to have opportunities to contribute to governance and community development.

According to him, elections should not mark the end of political engagement. Rather, they should usher in a period of continuous interaction between elected leaders, party structures and the people.

Udebhulu further said the appointments were coming against the backdrop of what he described as the broader efforts of the Okpebholo administration to translate its electoral commitments into programmes, policies and actions.

He maintained that the performance of any government should be assessed not only by political pronouncements but also by its ability to remain connected to the people, understand their needs and create practical avenues for citizen participation.

“Campaign promises should not end with campaign speeches. They should translate into programmes, policies and actions that directly affect the people,” he said.

The political strategist also urged those appointed as SSAs and SAs to regard their positions as responsibilities to the people rather than privileges, stressing the importance of discipline, accountability, accessibility and commitment to public service.

He said the appointees should use their positions to promote peaceful political participation, communicate government policies responsibly and ensure that the concerns of their respective communities are properly conveyed to the appropriate authorities.

Udebhulu noted that the success of the initiative would ultimately depend on what the appointees do with the opportunities entrusted to them.

He said the appointments could become a valuable instrument for grassroots development if the appointees remain focused on service and make themselves available to the people.

“The real value of these appointments will not be measured by the number of names on the appointment list, but by the impact the appointees make in their respective communities,” he said.

Udebhulu also described grassroots engagement as an essential component of democratic governance, noting that political structures should not become active only during election campaigns.

He argued that maintaining regular communication with citizens could help strengthen public confidence in government while enabling the administration to better understand the aspirations and challenges of communities across the state.

He further said the initiative demonstrated that the strength of government should not be concentrated in the hands of a few individuals, but should be built around collective participation and shared responsibility.

According to him, giving people a sense of ownership in the political and governance process can strengthen loyalty to democratic institutions and encourage citizens to participate more actively in the development of their communities.

Udebhulu expressed optimism that the expanded grassroots structure would strengthen the flow of information between the government and citizens and create greater opportunities for community-level engagement.

He said the initiative could also help consolidate the relationship between the APC, the administration and its grassroots supporters, while providing a broader platform for explaining government programmes and receiving constructive feedback from the people.

He stressed, however, that political inclusion must go hand in hand with responsibility, saying that those entrusted with public or political responsibilities must demonstrate integrity and a genuine commitment to the interests of the people.

The APC chieftain said the appointments represented an opportunity for the Okpebholo administration to further entrench a culture of accessibility, participation and shared responsibility in governance.

He added that when government maintains a strong connection with the grassroots, it becomes easier to identify emerging challenges, respond to community concerns and build policies around the realities faced by ordinary citizens.

Udebhulu described Governor Okpebholo’s approach as a demonstration that political leadership should remain connected to the people before, during and after elections.

“The 4,800 appointments represent more than a numerical figure. They represent an opportunity to deepen grassroots participation, widen the channel of communication between government and citizens, and ensure that communities across Edo State have a stronger connection to the administration,” he said.

He therefore commended Governor Okpebholo for what he described as an inclusive approach to political and grassroots engagement, expressing confidence that the initiative, if effectively managed, could further strengthen community participation and government-citizen relations across Edo State.

“Governor Monday Okpebholo is showing, in words and action, that government must remain connected to the people. He is a Governor of the people, by the people and for the people,” Udebhulu said.