The Ondo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed concern over Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s leadership, noting that his handling of state affairs over the past 10 months has been disappointing.
In a statement by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Kennedy Peretei, the PDP lamented that the people of Ondo State have been unlucky with Aiyedatiwa’s emergence as governor.
They argued that economic activities in the state have reached an all-time low due to his inability to boost the local economy.
The opposition also criticized the governor for the excessive amounts approved for projects like the construction of a new deputy governor’s lodge and road maintenance.
The PDP statement read, “The people have beamed their searchlight on the 10 months of Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa as governor; the verdict has been a resounding failure.
“On 22nd July, 2024, more than ₦35B was approved for asphalt overlay of roads in four Akoko Local Government Areas, Ose, Owo, Ilaje, Idanre, Ondo, and Akure axes of the state. Three months later, the roads are still in the same states they were before the contract awards.
“The sum of ₦217,881,308.00 was also approved for the renovation of the Deputy Governor’s Lodge. To be delivered in 12 weeks, effective from July 22, 2024.
“It is common knowledge that, since assumption of office, the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olayide Adelami, maintains princely presidential suites at the Royal Birds Hotel & Towers, Alagbaka, Akure, with his retinue of staff, all expenses paid for with tax payers’ money.
“The money wasted in hotel accommodation for the Deputy Governor would have been enough to renovate his official residence.
“Is there anybody who is still in doubt that this set of leaders should be shown the way out of Government House come November 16? When they say they are lucky, they do not mean the people of Ondo State, but their very narrow personal interests.”
In response, Director of Media and Publicity for the Ondo chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Steve Otaloro, dismissed the PDP’s allegations as false.
Otaloro argued that the PDP’s criticism is a desperate attempt to tarnish the image of the Aiyedatiwa administration ahead of the November 16 governorship election.
“The PDP’s 12-year reign in Ondo State yielded no tangible results. Their inability to present a credible alternative to Governor Aiyedatiwa’s achievements has led them to resort to name-calling and lies.
“The lack of human resources within the PDP’s ranks is evident in their daily organisational ability and strategy. Instead of conducting an issue-based campaign, they have become an attacking bulldog.
“We refuse to continue defending against their meritless efforts to malign us.”