— Allegation baseless – Aiyedatiwa

By Dayo Johnson, Akure

Governorship candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in Ondo State, Hon Olugbenga Edema has said that the way rice and other palliatives received by the state government from the federal government were been distributed lacked transparency and accountability.

The Olugbenga Edema Campaign Organisation, said this in Akure, the state capital.

A statement signed by its spokesperson, Ayeni Oluwatosin, in Akure, said that “Governor Aiyedatiwa’s decision to run Ondo State as a personal enterprise rather than in the interest of the good people of the state is unacceptable and goes against the principles of good governance.

“Oluwatoyin said ” With the evidence at our disposal, Governor Aiyedatiwa has allocated the rice and palliatives received from the Federal Government as exclusive benefits for members of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“Governor Aiyedatiwa is using them as tools to further his personal agenda.

“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.

“One would begin to imagine what happened to the funds released to the state by the federal government, particularly when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in his speech on August 4, disclosed that his administration has released over N570 billion to the 36 states to expand livelihood support to citizens across the country.

“So, Governor Aiyedatiwa must tell the people of Ondo State what happened to their own share.

“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.

“These resources are meant to benefit all residents of Ondo State, regardless of their political affiliation, and should be distributed equitably to alleviate the suffering of the people.

” 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.

“The Olugbenga Edema Campaign Organisation stands with the people of Ondo State in demanding accountability and transparency in the entire process.

But while reacting, the state information director of Lucky Aiyedatiwa Campaign Organisation Foot Soldiers Independent Council (LACO-FSIC), Kayode Fasua, said that the allegation of diverting federal government’s bags of palliative rice to only APC members, coming from the Olugbega Edema campaign team, lacks substance as it is not substantiated.

Fasua said that “It remains baseless, coming only after the governor himself had assured the people of Ondo State of equitable distribution of palliative items to cover vulnerable persons cutting across the 18 local government areas of Ondo State.

“When in want of what to say to gain public attention, it is also dishonorable to give vent to base emotion, by telling bare-faced lies, which is what the Edema political camp has just demonstrated.

“However, the good people of Ondo State cannot be led astray by some tongue-twisting politicians with sugar-coated mouths, in the face of the rapid development Ondo State is witnessing under Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

“So, Edema and his co-travellers should drop that tar brush of brazen lies and come up with useful suggestions that can foster the development of our dear State.