By Kennedy Ikantu Peretei.
As the Ondo 2024 Gubernatorial election approaches the Zero Hour, those who said the election was a walk over for them have been unable to have sound sleep, slipping into a “Panic Mode”.
A good number of them, who initially proclaimed that, they are “Lucky” are singing a new song, based on the realities they encountered on the field. The comfort of their offices from where they made the proclamation of being “Lucky” are the exact opposite of the streets in which hunger and lack, walk in all four legs. The electorate sent the signal wherever the campaign train of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa visited, that, there is pain in the land, orchestrated by the All Progressives Congress (APC), Aiyedatiwa’s party.
In their confusion, the National Chairman of APC, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, in one breath, said the Edo “Template” will be applied in Ondo State. In another, he said, the APC does not need to rig the Ondo election to win. This was the first sign that, the APC national leadership has come to terms with the reality that, nobody can rig the November 16 election, and they are not as lucky as they hitherto assumed.
Dr Ganduje’s confused state of mind is understandable. Having received a N31B contract for the construction of a Judiciary Complex in Akure from the Aiyedatiwa government, he must be seen to justify the unmerited favour by speaking from both sides of his mouth. Unfortunately, the best Ganduje can achieve is the APC Governorship ticket he dashed Governor Aiyedatiwa from his back pocket. Nothing more.
Having failed to convince the people why they should trust him with their mandate, some panicky measures were taken. And because they were not all well thought out, they all fell flat on their backs. The 416 political appointees, carefully selected from the 203 Electoral Wards were shocked to discover that, for the month of October, 2024, they received no salary alert. What is the guarantee that, after losing the election in November, they will be paid? Are these not the same people shouting they are “Lucky”? They should know better by now.
When l raised the alarm that the N73,000.00 minimum wage announced at a campaign rally was another promise that would never be met, some people dismissed it. I reminded them that, the Technical Team from the Governor’s Office to meet with organized Labour failed to show up for the joint meeting to agree on the template. The Governor’s media aides ridiculed workers by saying, when the minimum wage is implemented, they will need wheelbarrows to carry their salaries, as if the monies being aimlessly frittered away are being carried with wheelbarrows. Those workers who went to endorse the governor for another term, should ask themselves again, if indeed, they have been Lucky with this Governor.
After spending ten months in the saddle, it is his programmes and projects that should have done the campaigns for Governor Aiyedatiwa. Instead, he is recruiting propagandists to lie to Ondo State people, as if we are blind and deaf.
Out of fear of losing the election, the Commandant of Amotekun Corps, Adetunji Adeleye was drafted to head a 25 member Security Committee of the Campaigns. Instead of apologizing to the people, the Spokesman of the Aiyedatiwa Campaign denied that, such was ever proposed. How can anybody trust people who lie so shamelessly in this manner?
The last joker that Aiyedatiwa has proposed to shatter the people is the increment of tuition fees in Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba- Akoko by 100%. The minor delay according to official sources, is due to the anticipated backlash that can spell doom for his re-election bid. If the people make the mistake of voting for him, they will gnash their teeth, because he will give the final approval for the increment and more students will drop out of school.
Those who think Ondo State is Lucky with this kind of administration should pinch themselves to be sure that they are not dreaming.
This series continues shortly.
