PDP accuses Aiyedatiwa of squandering Ondo’s money, APC rejects allegations

The Ondo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has called on residents to withhold their support for the All Progressives Congress candidate in the forthcoming governorship election.

The opposition party accused the APC’s candidate and incumbent governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, of squandering a significant amount of public funds on frivolous activities during his 10 months in office.

This allegation was made in a statement issued by the state’s PDP Publicity Secretary, Mr Kennedy Peretei, on Monday, titled, ‘Ondo State is Not Lucky with Aiyedatiwa (7)’.

However, the Ondo State APC has dismissed the PDP’s allegations describing it as baseless and untrue.

According to the statement, the PDP claimed that billions of naira earmarked for state government projects were diverted into private accounts.

The PDP statement read, “The people have scrutinised Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s 10 months as governor, and the verdict is a resounding failure. On July 22, 2024, more than N35 billion was approved for asphalt overlay of roads in four Akoko Local Government Areas, Ose, Owo, Ilaje, Idanre, Ondo, and Akure regions. Three months later, these roads remain in the same condition as before the contracts were awarded.

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“It is evident that these substantial sums must have vanished into private pockets, as contractors are not on site, citing non-payment. Can Ondo State be said to be fortunate under such an administration?”

The PDP further alleged that a substantial amount of money was allocated for the renovation of the deputy governor’s lodge in 2022, yet the project remains incomplete.

Meanwhile, the deputy governor, Mr Olayide Adelami, has been staying in a hotel since assuming office.

“A sum of N217,881,308.00 was approved for the renovation of the deputy governor’s lodge, with a completion timeline of 12 weeks from July 22, 2024. It is widely known that since assuming office, the Deputy Governor, Dr Olayide Adelami, has been staying in luxury hotel suites in Akure, along with his staff, all at the taxpayers’ expense.

“The money wasted on hotel accommodation could have easily renovated his official residence. Is there anyone still in doubt that this administration should be voted out come November 16?” the statement added.

In response, the Director of Publicity of the APC in the state, Mr Steve Otaloro, dismissed the PDP’s allegations as baseless and aimed at undermining Governor Aiyedatiwa’s achievements.

In a counterstatement, Otaloro said, “The PDP’s allegations are filled with inaccuracies, speculations, and misinformation. During their 12-year reign in Ondo State, they achieved nothing of note. Their inability to offer a credible alternative to Governor Aiyedatiwa’s accomplishments has led them to resort to false accusations and lies.”

Otaloro went on to highlight Governor Aiyedatiwa’s achievements in education, infrastructure, healthcare, and economic empowerment, stating that the PDP’s continuous attacks would not distract the government from its commitment to the people.

“The PDP’s lack of human resources is evident in their poor organisational skills and strategy. Instead of running an issue-based campaign, they have become a destructive force. We will not be drawn into responding to their baseless accusations.

“What Ondo State needs are smart decisions that benefit the people through effective policies and programmes, not political point-scoring. As a responsible opposition party, the PDP should prioritise truth, fairness, and balance in their analysis of the state’s development. Their false allegations are driven by an insatiable hunger for power. We urge the public to distinguish fact from the PDP’s fabricated tales and propaganda,” Otaloro concluded.