—- Aiyedatiwa bribes youths others to shun protest — PDP

— Accusation baseless, absurd — APC

By Dayo Johnson, Akure

As protest against bad government continued across the country, the Ondo state People Democrats Party and the ruling All Progressive Congress, have traded words over alleged inducement of youths and others to shun the protest.

The Publicity Secretary of the opposition People’s Democratic Party,Hon Kennedy Peretei, in a statement, issued in Akure, alleged that governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, induced the youths, traditional rulers and other to shun the protest.

Peretei said that governor Aiyedatiwa should stop playing to the gallery on the alleged botched protest across the state.

According to him ” It is indeed a sad reality that Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, had to personally dish out cash inducements to some youths, Clergy men and others from the State Treasury in order to forestall protest at the State capital, Akure.

“He was later reported to have thanked the people of the State for not joining the protest. What a pity?

“There is no part of the country that needs the protest more than Ondo State in the face of an administration that has practically grounded the State in every ramification.

“Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa is yet to account for the N5 billion that the Federal Government released to all the States as palliatives in the wake of the uproar from Nigerians after the withdrawal of fuel subsidy.

“The monthly allocation from the Federation Account that averages N10 billion every month since December, 2023 have no impact on the State. Infact, the allocation for last month was N11 billion.

Peretei added that “The only visible project in the State is the renovation of the Government House, especially the perimeter fence which is reported to cost a whooping N1 billion.

 Are these not enough reasons for the citizens to protest till, Aiyedatiwa tells us where he has warehoused the people’s money?

But Ondo State with her very sophisticated citizenry will not allow themselves to engage in a violent protest that will set the State backward and therefore decided to stay peacefully at home to protest the bad Governance they have experienced in the last nine years.

 Is it the Sit-at-home protest that Aiyedatiwa is celebrating as “not participating” in the protest?

He should stop sunning himself in the vain glory to have thwarted a protest in Ondo State through his street credibility.

Aiyedatiwa should stop playing to the gallery and use his remaining few months to touch lives of the citizens who are truly hungry and angry but based on their past and recent experiences preferred to remain at home as a kind of protest.

Peretei said that ” these protests would have been averted if the President Bola Tinubu led All Progressives Congress (APC) government had been sensitive to the yearning and suffering of the people.

“He should therefore be held responsible for the casualties, calamity and the attendant trauma occasioned by these protests.

But in swift reaction, the states Publicity Secretary of the ruling All Progressive Congress, Alex Kalejaiye, said the accusation of financial inducement was baseless and absurd.

Kalejaiye, in a statement, said, “The NANS leadership in Ondo State even went as far as holding a press conference to distance themselves from the protest, yet the PDP continues to make unfounded accusations.

“It is clear that the PDP’s disappointment stems from their failure to incite unrest in Ondo State.

“Their refusal to participate in the protest shows that even their own members prefer a peaceful resolution over unnecessary chaos.

“The APC in Ondo State stands by the decision of the people to remain peaceful and urges the PDP to respect the choices of individuals and groups in the state.

Kalejaye said that ” The party’s disregard for the will of the people is concerning and only serves to further divide the community.”

Also berating the PDP over the accusation, the Director of Contact and Engagement,Lucky Aiyedatiwa Campaign Organization, Dr. Charles Marindoti Oludare, described the statement by the opposition party in the state as both regrettable and disheartening.

Marindoti said in a statement that “It is apparent that the PDP had hoped for violent unrest and wanton carnage in Ondo State but were ultimately disappointed by the peace and calm that prevailed.

“The PDP’s reaction highlights their desire for chaos, revealing a lamentable longing for exploitable violence which they have been unable to incite.

He added that “The calm and compassionate leadership of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa played a crucial role in ensuring that peace was maintained in Ondo State.

“The sophistication and intellectual prowess of Ondo State’s citizens also further contributed to this peace.”

He noted that Governor Aiyedatiwa’s competent leadership has effectively foiled the PDP’s ploy to foment chaos in Ondo State, “which has now led their blood to boil.

“Their mirage of mischief has led them to the point of making unguarded statements.

“These statements inadvertently expose their malicious intentions across the nation.

” It is apparent that the PDP, now aptly dubbed the “Property Destruction Party,” has instigated violence through their thugs in the otherwise peaceful protests across the country.”

” The good people of Ondo State, according to him, “have seen through these machinations and have chosen the path of peace.

“The PDP Ondo State’s attempt at attention-seeking should be ignored by the citizens who are well aware of the true nature of these protests and the intentions behind them.

According to him” The PDP is nothing more than a noisome pestilence, from which the people of Ondo State have been delivered by the grace of God and the steadfast leadership of Governor Aiyedatiwa.”