Outrage greets Adamawa gov’s appointment of 47 media aides
Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State’s selection of 47 media assistants has drawn criticism.
The appointments were announced by Fintiri on his official Twitter account on Thursday night.
I’m thrilled to form my PR team,” he tweeted.
“I’m confident that this diverse and talented team will play a crucial role in enhancing our communication efforts and strengthening our public engagement,” the governor continued. “Together, we’ll work towards achieving our goals and effectively serving the people.”
On June 6, 2023, the governor was given permission by the Adamawa State House of Assembly to designate 50 special advisers.
Since Mr. Humwashi Wonosikou’s appointment as press secretary during his inaugural luncheon on May 29, Fintiri has been keeping a low profile.
The passing of Fintiri’s cousin, Malama Laraba Mamman, who had perished in a car accident on the way to his inauguration, had been cited as the reason for his inaction.
One Special Assistant and Master of Ceremonies for Government Events, two Special Advisers, ten Senior Special Assistants, 34 Special Assistants on Social Media and Content Creation, and one Special Assistant are among those who have been appointed.
Internet users were outraged by the announcement and instantly attacked the governor, asking why he had chosen to hire so many people as media assistants.
A tweep, Opeoluwa, described the appointment as an act of fiscal recklessness that must be stopped.
He said, ‘This is why we need TRUE FISCAL FEDERALISM. This is the fiscal recklessness we need to stop. Lagos&SS states will make money for 🇳🇬, states like Adamawa that contributes nothing will use same money to appoint over 25 members in a media team. Allow Adamawa make&spend its own money”
For Chidi Okereke, he described the appointees as incompetent fellows who couldn’t advise the governor not to make such post
He tweeted, “Lmfaoooooooo. The fact that he has all these people in his media team, and they still thought it was a good idea to post this means that they’re all grossly incompetent. Na that one pain me pass 😂😂😂😂”
The same opinion was shared who said, “Let’s say you even appointed 47 media aides, announcing it on Twitter shows you’re not reading the room or feeling the pulse of the nation. It’s really a shame. You fell off”
@ReneRodrig in his comment, said the appointment negates tenets of cutting cost of governance that many Nigerians have been preaching especially during this austere period.
He tweeted, “Omo cutting of cost of governance in the mud. See as special media adviser long. Is this Job creation??”
With 3.44 million poor people, Adamawa has the 18th poverty rate in Nigeria according to the 2022 data from the National Bureau of Statistics.
