Akeredolu’s sickness: Governance on recess in Ondo, says YPP

The Ondo State chapter of the Young Peoples Party has expressed its displeasure over the situation of the state government following the absence of Govenor Rotimi Akeredolu who is on medical leave.

The YPP alleged that some people in the government were capitalising on the health condition of the governor to slow down the pace of governance, declaring on Tuesday: “We have cause to believe that governance is on recess,” in the state.

It will be recalled that Akeredolu had two weeks ago transmitted power to his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to act as acting Governor, while he (Akeredolu) informed the state House of Assembly that he was proceeding on a 21-day medical leave abroad.

But the YPP, in a statement on Tuesday by its Publicity Secretary, Mr Goke Williams,lamented that governance was suffering in the state in Akeredolu’s absence, while it  warned politicians to stop politicising the governor’s ill-health and allow government to run effectively.

The opposition party said, “We are ashamed of politicians in the state, who have suddenly neglected their roles of purchasing good life for the people but are bent on playing bitter politics with the health of the State Governor, Arakurin Rotimi Akeredolu.

“The  party strongly suspects that some internal wranglings within the machinery of government are responsible for the inability of the state to respond appropriately to the impact of the fuel subsidy removal, that has made life tough for the people.

“While other states have responded appropriately with policy communication and execution, Ondo State is yet to find its voice or make known any intention or plan to alleviate the immediate impact of the fuel subsidy removal.

“We have cause to believe that governance is on recess, as our health facilities have suffered a major decline, while teachers in some of our tertiary institutions are being owed months of salaries and allowances.

“As a party, we have cause to believe that dirty politics is currently being played by factions in government and if urgent action is not taken, it may completely ground the wheels of governance in the state.”

All effort to get the reaction of the state Commissioner for Information, Mrs Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, was unsuccessful as she didn’t reply to the text message sent to her.

However, the Ondo State Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Mr Ade Adetimehin, disagreed with the YPP, insisting that there were no hitches in the running of the government in the state.

Adetimehin said, “They should go and do their findings very well; there is no hitch in the running of the government.

“We all know that Governor Akeredolu has handed over to Aiyedatiwa before going and he (acting govenor) is performing his duties.

“I believe the YPP are talking just to be heard that they exist, but they got this wrong because there is no division anywhere in the government.”