The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ondo State Chapter, notes with a mixture of resentment and amusement, the recently released list of appointments of 28 Senior Special Assistants and 316 Special Assistants by the Ondo State Governor, Hon Lucky Aiyedatiwa without portfolios. In these times when every sensible government is trying to bring down the humongous cost of governance, only a clueless governor can contemplate such a drain pipe on taxpayers funds.
It is indeed, tragic that governance in our own Sunshine State which used to be a reference point and a benchmark for innovative governance could be brought to this disgusting level and abrupt halt, such that nothing is moving in any positive direction again.
It is lamentable that the governor cannot, in good conscience, clearly point to any tangible projects he has executed with the over one hundred billion naira that has entered Ondo State under his watch in the last eight months, through federal allocations, palliatives and other bailouts.
The capital city of Akure has become a putrifying dumping site where horrible odour oozes out with imminent breakout of epidemic. Unfortunately, the health facilities are just non existent to take care of any such incidents.
Majority of the roads awarded by the government had been recklessly abandoned leaving the residents of the affected areas in nightmares, severe anguish and avoidable trauma that is hard to fathom. A government which gave paucity of fund as lame excuse for non-performance can mindlessly chose to waste the tax payers’ money on such mass appointments just to realize an importunate personal ambition that has even become a stillbirth before the delivery date.
We are nonetheless, amused because it has become apparent that the governor is so frightened of his impending failure at the November 16, 2024 gubernatorial election, thus making frantic yet fruitless efforts to save the day by doling out frivolous appointments to every Tom, Dick and Harry. It is however too late to avert the unavoidable defeat at the poll because the people had already known that the governor is not made of the sterner stuff needed at a critical time like this, to redirect the State from the path of perdition and ignominy to which is currently being driven, due to his ineptitude occasioned by his clear unpreparedness to assume the mantle of leadership at such level and at such a time.
These last minute appointments are conceived to hoodwink the appointees who have become disillusioned with a colourless and directionless State ship. It is clearly intended to chain them to a sinking boat. They are, indeed the last kicks of a dying horse.
Our party counsels that the earlier the governor comes to terms with the reality of his imminent defeat in the forthcoming gubernatorial election, the better for his psychological and emotional stability after the election, because the masses have now become wiser knowing fully well, the consequences of going for the highest bidder in any elections.
Their bitter experiences in the hands of APC and the hard lessons learnt from the deceit and propaganda employed in taking over the government, will surely be displayed against the governor at the November 16, gubernatorial election.
Leye Igbabo,
Director of Media and Publicity PDP Ondo State.
