By Banji Ayoola
Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has fired back at his predecessor and National Leader of Zenith Labour Party, Dr Olusegun Mimiko who had described the All Progressives Congress administration in the state, led by him as anti-people.
The governor, according to Sunshine Truth, reacted through the spokesman of the Akeredolu/Aiyedatiwa Campaign Organisation, Mr. Richard Olatunde saying his administration is clearing Mimiko’s alleged mess.
ZLP is fielding the state’s Deputy Governor, Hon Agboola Ajayi as candidate in the October 10 governorship election.
The former Governor had, during a campaign said that Akeredolu had failed the people of the state and urged the people to reject Akeredolu at the poll.
Olatunde said” “It’s unfortunate that a Governor that sacked over 10,000 workers in Ondo State is calling the Akeredolu administration an anti-people government.
“These workers were only reinstated by Governor Akeredolu. Because of politics, Mimiko killed the Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa (OAUSTECH). What’s more anti -people than the actions of Mimiko in abandoning the various projects left behind by the late Olusegun Agagu?
“As we speak, work is ongoing at the Teaching hospital both in Ondo and Akure. Arakunrin Akeredolu has introduced the Contributory health scheme which has also brought about free health care service for children under the age of Five and pregnant women.
“So, on Health, Governor Akeredolu has surpassed Mimiko in achievements, just as the Akeredolu administration has recorded significant stride in education and people’s welfare.
“Again, what’s more anti-people than Mimiko’s refusal to pay ONDO State workers seven months salary. The Akeredolu administration is still clearing the mess Mimiko left behind. Six out of the seven months unpaid Salary Mimiko left behind has been paid by Governor Akeredolu.
“The people of the state know that Mimiko has a cunning character. His penchant for treasury must not he taken as political sagacity. He’s a spent force,” Akeredolu said.
Mimiko at the weekend had described his successor in office, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, as a disappointment to the people of the State.
He spoke in Ile-Oluji in Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo Local Government during the campaign tour of the state’s Deputy Governor and ZLP’s candidate in the October 10 governorship election, Hon Agboola Ajayi.
Mimiko, according to a statement by Ajayi’s spokesman, Mr Babatope Okeowo, described his successor’s government as anti-people because of the cancellation of the inherited free health programme and increase in tuition fees paid by tertiary institutions in the State.
The former Mimiko administration under its Caring Heart policy, implemented free health and free education programmes backed up with free shuttle buses. Students of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba paid N25, 000 tuition fee.
The statement said the former governor who said he had worked with three governors before becoming governor for eight years, alleged that the “Akeredolu government has failed the people of the State in all critical sectors affecting the well-being of the people.”
It quoted him saying: “the government of Akeredolu’s claim to performance is nothing but falsehood as all indices showed otherwise.”
His words “There is no person that will say he has not performed. But how do we differentiate performance?. Any government that has not democratised education is a bad government.
“This government that hiked school fee is a bad government. Akeredolu’s government is an enemy of the people. Anybody that votes Akeredolu is selling his children’s future.
“Any government that does not make health free is your enemy. Akeredolu’s government is an enemy of the people by cancelling Mother and Child and free health for children.
“Any time they come here to campaign for votes ask him, where are our shuttle buses? Where is our abiye? The government that cancelled trauma centre is your enemy.”
Mimiko said Akeredolu’s utterances have clearly shown that he is not part of the state as he had vowed to go back to his base if not voted for.
He said: “This government has not performed; he is anti-people. Any Government that fails to democratize access to Education , Health and other essential services to the people is not a good Government.”
The former governor lamented the alleged failure of his successor to build on the successes recorded in the health and educationsectors during his tenure as Governor.
He saw no need for the Akeredolu administration to have cancelled free health services and free education at the primary and secondary levels, noting that any government that fails to prioritise Education and Health is anti-people.
Mimiko also fumed at the cancellation of the Accident Emergency scheme which was established by the his administration to reduce the number of deaths on express roads around Ondo state.
He urged the people to vote out the alleged anti-people government and vote for Agboola Ajayi and Gboye Adegbenro as Governor and Deputy Governor on the platform of the ZLP.
In his remark, Ajayi said he has listened to the cries of the people and has offered himself as alternative to the alleged misrule of Akeredolu.
College grants for students.
