The governor of Rivers State, Mr. Nyesom Wike, yesterday announced the appointment of 14,359 persons as advisers, ward liaison officers and local government area liaison officers ahead of the 2023 elections.
The appointees consist of 14000 advisers for various political units in the state, 319 ward liaison officers and 40 local government area liaison officers.
Spokesman for the governor, Mr. Kelvin Ebiri, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists in Port Harcourt.
The statement reads: “In addition to the 14,000 advisers, Governor Wike has also appointed 319 ward liaison officers and 40 local government area liaison officers.
“The appointments are with immediate effect.”
Although names of the new appointees were not disclosed, the aide said the advisers will play a pivotal role in the administration.
Reacting to the development, the national vice chairman, south-south of the Labour Party, Mr. Favour Reuben, said the appointments are political.
“I think what the governor is trying to do is for politics. He is just trying to plant boys that will do politics for him. I keep saying the governor is afraid that his candidate cannot win the election in the state. What does he mean by political units?
“14, 000? People that will never see him or talk to him and you say they are advisers. What are they advising?
“He is just trying to use them to build political strength for his governorship candidate, Sim Fubara, knowing full well that the man is not popular,” he said.
Also reacting, spokesman for the African Action Congress (AAC), Mr. Felix Enumini, said it was a move to sway votes in the 2023 general elections.
However, he said the Rivers people are wiser.
“You know this is the electioneering period. What the Rivers State Governor is doing is because he has failed the Rivers people.
“So he is just trying to make some people happy. Aside from building flyovers all over the city, he has not done anything. For the past seven years, no civil servant has been promoted.
“No employment, except the one he did recently in the state university he gave to his Ikwerre brothers. So, we know his antics. He thinks with this, people will be moved to vote for his stooge, Sim Fubara,” he said in an interview with Punch
