From Osagie Otabor, Akure
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State has criticised the steps taken by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to curb the spread of COVID-19 Pandemic.
It said the dusk-to-dawn curfew declared by the governor showed a government that was ignorant of the culture of its people and disconnected from the people.
The party alleged that to restrict movement to night was tantamount to playing to the gallery and a cheap shot at seeking political benefit from a people whose lives were threatened by the governor’s inefficiency.
A statement by the spokesman, Zadok Akintoye, said what Governor Akeredolu should do to safeguard the lives of the people was to shut down movement across the state.
The statement said the capacity of the governor to manage COVID-19 was suspect.
It said the government needed assistance in handling COVID-19, but kept mute and resorted to playing politics with issues that affected the people.
Akintoye said but for the outcry of well-meaning citizens, the governor would have risked lives by allowing Easter Sunday service to hold.
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The statement said: “Is Akeredolu suggesting that the virus is inactive in the day? Our people rarely gather in clusters at night and the larger percentage of citizens in Ondo State rarely stay outside their homes at this time.
“The lives of our citizens are far more valuable than any selfish political benefit. Our concern stems from the observed indecisive responses of this government to a matter that threatens the existence of our people and state.
“Since the first index case was cited in our state, the response of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government has been reactionary and often indicates a government that does not truly believe the magnitude of threat posed by this virus to our people.
“Government must wake up to its responsibility of providing palliatives and incentives at this time, which must include tax incentives and cuts to persons and businesses affected by this pandemic, provision of free access to health care for women and children and must ensure that it provides subsidised food items for the most vulnerable citizens within the state during this period.”
Ondo State Government has described PDP as a party that is pedestrian at all times.
It was reacting to the party’s criticism of the approach Governor Akeredolu has adopted to tackle COVID-19 pandemic.
Commissioner for Information and Orientation Donald Ojogo said in a statement that the state would welcome any workable suggestion.
He, however, said this was not a period to be joining issues with the PDP.
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