Tag: Aiyedatiwa

• ’Govt: allegation false

Peoples Democratic Party in Ondo State has accused Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of making moves to repackage and rebrand palliatives sent to the state by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

It said the governor delayed distribution of the palliatives because of plans to repackage and rebrand them for distribution to members and supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Director of Media and Publicity of Ondo PDP, Leye Igbabo, in a statement in Akure, said Governor Aiyedatiwa planned to use Federal Government’s palliatives to promote his governorship ambition.

“This we consider duplicitous and an insincere approach to service and governance, a consistent disposition of the Ayedatiwa administration since he accidentally became governor, otherwise the delay in the distribution of an interventionist action as this will not ordinarily have arisen.

“Our party views this posture of Mr Governor as not only insensitive, but also wicked, inhuman and unbecoming of a governor, who should, as matter of fact, exhibit empathy, love and compassion for the people that are already challenged, hopeless, devastated and ravaged by hunger, anger and disease.

“We had thought the resolve of Ondo State people not to join the national hunger protest would have spurred the governor to, more than ever before, consider the awkward predicament of the people and go to any length in alleviating the avoidable hardship.

Read Also: Immigration suspends officer for alleged bribe solicitation

“We even consider the desire to politicise palliative distribution at the expense of the general populace as not only distasteful and reprehensible, but equally absurd and brutal.”

Spokesman for Ondo APC, Alex Kalejaiye, lambasted PDP for ‘’resorting to lies with awful recklessness.’’

He said Aiyedatiwa had handled the issue of palliatives with transparency, sincerity and the fear of God.

Kalejaiye said the items received from the Federal Government had been distributed to the 203 wards in the state, through closely-monitored local government representatives.

He said: “Governor Aiyedatiwa, out of concern for the people, has directed the state Food Security Agency to work out measures to cushion the effects of the current harsh economy that is a global phenomenon.

“Aiyedatiwa’s package that will soon be unveiled at six major centres, at the first instance, will witness reduction of 25 per cent reduction in the core food items.

“Food security is one of the core targets of the current government, for which adequate deal, commitment and seriousness are being deployed by its agents to actualise this lofty plan.”

Olugbenga Edema, the governorship candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) for the upcoming November 16 election in Ondo state, has accused Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of lacking transparency and accountability in the distribution of rice and other palliatives provided by the federal government.

Edema claimed that Governor Aiyedatiwa is running the state as a personal enterprise rather than in the interest of the general populace.

In a statement issued in Akure, Edema presented evidence suggesting that Governor Aiyedatiwa allocated the rice and palliatives received from the Federal Government exclusively to members of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He said the federal government palliatives was being used as tools to further the Governor’s personal agenda.

The NNPP flag bearer challenged Aiyedatiwa to disclose what happened to the state’s share of the N576bn released by President Buhari to expand livelihood support to citizens

According to him, “These funds and palliatives belong to the masses and are intended to alleviate the hardship caused by the All Progressives Congress-led administration in the country, not to serve the interests of a particular political party.

“The Olugbenga Edema Campaign Organisation demands that Governor Aiyedatiwa give a full and transparent account of all public funds and palliatives received from the Federal Government. 

Read Also: Aiyedatiwa receives PDP defectors in Okitipupa

“It is imperative that Governor Aiyedatiwa understand that public funds are not to be used for personal gain or political advantage but are meant to serve the greater good of the people. 

“The people of Ondo State deserve a leader who prioritises their welfare and acts in the best interests of all citizens, without discrimination or favouritism.

“We call on Governor Aiyedatiwa to immediately rectify this situation and ensure transparency in the distribution of public resources.”

When contacted for comment, Ondo Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Otunba Wale Akinlosotu, said he would get back.

He was yet to get back as at press time.

Leaders of the All Progressives Congress in Irele local government area have pledged to work together ahead of the November 16th governorship election.

They have reconciled and are committed to securing overwhelming votes for Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

Ondo’s Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Pastor Emmanuel Igbasan, hosted a meeting in Akure over the weekend and urged the APC leaders to kickstart a massive mobilization of voters, beginning from the unit to the ward level in Irele.

Senator Yele Omogunwa also called on the political leaders in Irele to support Pastor Igbasan unitedly for Governor Aiyedatiwa.

Senator Omogunwa emphasized Pastor Igbasan’s extensive experience in politics and governance, which provided him with a deep understanding of societal complexities.

Read Also: Community begs Aiyedatiwa for new Oba four years after monarch’s demise

He said: “Indeed, Pastor Emmanuel Igbasan is capable of leading Irele leaders and we are adopting him as the political leader of Irele Local Government who has authority to convene meetings to discuss the progress of the party.

“I want to implore other leaders to give him maximum support so that Irele local government can achieve the best and highest result for Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa.”

On his part, Remi Olatubora cautioned the Irele APC leader against further division.

Ondo APC Women Leader, Mrs. Mojisola Lijoka, said the secret of electoral victory was effective grassroots mobilisation.

Scores of members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo state have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress ahead of the November 16, governorship election.

The defectors who were led by a former state woman leader of the party, Esther Ebiwonjum, said they were impressed by Governor Aiyedatiwa’s leadership style.

They defected at a stakeholder’s engagement meeting of the Southern Senatorial District of the State.

Mrs. Ebiwojum assured Governor Aiyedatiwa of total victory for the APC in Okitipupa.

Governor Aiyedatiwa, on his part, said his administration required all citizens’ collective efforts to ensure smooth governance and development.

Read Also: Community begs Aiyedatiwa for new Oba four years after monarch’s demise

Aiyedatiwa urged all members of the party to unite and collaborate effectively to ensure the APC retained power in the state.

“The APC is one big family, and your integration is crucial to our success. Let us all prioritize the success of our party and work together for a better future”, he said.

The Odatiwa Women Initiative distributed aprons and Food items to women in the locality.

Residents of Alade Idanre, Idanre Local Government Area of Ondo State have cried out to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa over the long absence of a monarch in the community.

The former monarch of the community, Oba, Olusegun Ayodele Akinbola, died in October 2020 and it was not until April this year that the community was able to pick an Oba-elect, Otunba Akingbaso Benson.

However, the residents said they were unable to install Akingbaso as Oba because his selection was yet to be approved by the state government.

Regent and Lisa of Alade Idanre kingdom, Oladipo Akinsowon, who appealed to Governor Lucky Ayedatiwa to approve the coronation of their Oba-elect, said he prayed to see a new Oba for the community before his death

Read Also: Benue NASS caucus hails youths for shunning protest, acknowledges Akume, Utsev efforts

Akinsowon said Akingabso was picked by the gods when the oracle was consulted on who would be the next Aladeokon of Idanre.

He explained that necessary procedures were followed for the Akingbaso to emerge as Oba-elect.

He said several letters have been written to concerned authorities to confirm the Oba-elect and subsequently install him.

 “After the demise of our Oba in 2020, we invited the family whose responsibility was to produce the next Oba but the family has made things difficult. It is litigation against litigation. We have to wait to respect the orders of the court. Judgment was delivered on the 4th of December 2023.

“Two people showed up to be installed as Oba. Representatives of the traditional chiefs were sent to consult the oracle to reveal who among the two could be made an Oba. It is somebody who has been picked through traditional means so that after installation, he will not be a problem to the community. The three persons we sent for this mission to Ile-Oluji or Ijare were to find out who should be chosen.

Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has praised residents of the state for heeding his

pleas for understanding, calm and restraints during yesterday’s protests.

The governor thanked the people for their peaceful disposition and conducting their civic as well as economic activities without any security incident in any part of the state.

Residents of Ondo State shunned the nationwide protest.

Banks, markets, and shops were shut to forestall the breakdown of law and order. There was a heavy security presence at strategic locations, especially in the Akure, the state capital, and other major towns.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, the governor said the conduct of the residents confirmed their peaceful nature and reinforced why the state remained one of the most peaceful in the country.

He said: “I want to thank the good people of Ondo State for maintaining peace and not joining the nationwide protests. Even when we, as government, have acknowledged the economic challenges facing our nation and our people, we thank them for heeding our call for peace.

Read Also: Your participation in protest will affect guber poll negatively, Aiyedatiwa’s aide tells IPAC, political parties

“I want to thank our students and youths, women, artisans and public servants, as well as civil society organisations (CSOs) for fulfilling their promise to maintain the peace.

“I also thank our traditional rulers, religious leaders, labour leaders and all the security agencies in the state for their invaluable roles in making our state a peaceful one at these times.”

“Our administration will not relent in its efforts to provide reliefs for our people as we strive to cushion the effects of the economic challenges in the country.

“In weeks and months to come, various policies, initiatives and projects across sectors aimed at making life better for our people will begin to make the much needed impacts.”