Electoral Panic In Enugu: Mbah's 23 Last-Minute Aides Spark Scorn As Senior Elders Accept "Junior Roles"

ENUGU, NIGERIA — Public outrage and political debate have erupted across Enugu State following Governor Peter Mbah’s appointment of 23 new Special Advisers (SAs) and Senior Special Assistants (SSAs).

​Through a statement issued by Secretary to the State Government Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, the administration announced roles spanning party coordination, public relations, and labor matters. However, the timing and composition of these appointments have drawn intense criticism from political analysts and opposition leaders:

​Electoral Desperation: Coming late in the administration's tenure, critics argue these appointments represent a political panic move to mobilize campaign personnel rather than advance actual governance.

​Dignity of Senior Public Servants: Observers expressed shock over the inclusion of veteran figures like Mr. Robinson Odo (mni)—a former Chairman of the Enugu State Civil Service Commission and former state chairman of ASCSN—who accepted a Special Adviser role on Labour and Productivity following the end of his tenure as commission chairman.

​Resource Waste: Concerns remain over adding dozens of political appointees without dedicated offices or operational portfolios to the state payroll while public infrastructure and worker entitlements remain under strain.

​Political commentators assert that voters in Enugu will distinguish between genuine structural development and last-minute patronage appointments as the election season unfolds.