PDP, APC Exchange Words Over Aiyedatiwa’s Spending

The Ondo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has queried the expenditure of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s administration in the past 10 months which the All Progressives Congress has discountenanced.

A statement by the Publicity Secretary of the PDP in the state, Mr Kennedy Peretei, on Monday, alleged that the Aiyedatiwa government has expended the state’s resources on projects that have never seen the light of the day.

However, the Director of Publicity of the APC in the state, Steve Otaloro, described the allegations of the PDP as false and designed to malign the achievements of Governor Aiyedatiwa’s administration.

The PDP’s 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 N35B 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 state they were before the contract awards.

“It is apparent that these huge sums approved for asphalt overlay must have disappeared into private pockets since contractors are not on-site over claims of non-payment. Can Ondo State be said to be lucky under such an administration?”

It added, “A sum of N217,881,308.00 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 a hotel in Akure with his retinue of staff, all expenses paid for with taxpayers’ 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?”

Countering the PDP claims, the Ondo APC spokesperson, Otaloro, in a statement said, “The (PDP’s) articles are riddled with inaccuracies, speculations, and misinformation. 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.”

Otaloro held that Aiyedatiwa had made significant strides in education, infrastructure, healthcare, and economic empowerment, adding that the PDP’s “constant attacks will not distract us from our commitment to the people.”

He added: “The lack of human resources within the PDP’s ranks is evident in their daily organizational 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.

“What Ondo State needs are smart decisions that benefit the people through policy decisions and programmes. We should focus on progress, not political point-scoring. As a responsible opposition party, the PDP should commit to truth, equity, and balanced opinions in their analysis of the state’s development.

“Their false allegations only serve to spread lies and misinformation, fueled by an insatiable desire for power. We urge the public to discern the truth from the PDP’s fairytales and propaganda.”