Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike on Friday increased the number of Special Assistants on Political Unit Affairs from 100,000 to 200,000.
This follows the swearing-in of the first batch of about 45,000 assistants from Rivers South-East and Rivers West Senatorial Districts on Thursday.
Wike announced the increase while inaugurating the second batch of the initial 100,000 assistants at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, on Friday.
“As I speak to you, my mailbox almost crashed. People are sending text messages saying ‘why are you leaving us alone, the job is too much. This number cannot do the work’.
“Therefore, a lot of Rivers people are volunteering to be part of this work. And I can announce to you today, we have increased the number from 100,000 to 200,000.”
The governor said that the increment came as a decision to accommodate more people who have shown the willingness to work for him.
Wike said the appointments are part of the “stomach infrastructure” he had earlier promised to execute alongside the physical infrastructure of his administration.
Congratulating the appointees, the governor told them to consider themselves lucky among the not less than 6 million Rivers people to serve under his administration.
He said because their political leaders have found them trustworthy, they should commit to doing the task given to them effectively.
Wike also tasked local government chairmen to return to their areas and identify more people for appointments.
