- PDP’s allegation is height of insensitivity to Akeredolu’s achievements – Government
- Award long overdue – APC
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has criticised Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for receiving a honorary doctorate degree of another university while the state owned universities he controls are under lock and key.
However, the state government described the PDP’s allegation as the height of insensitivity to the progress and development in the state.
Speaking through the Information and Orientation commissioner, Mr Donald Ojogo, government said: “To expect the opposition PDP to keep quiet without last kicks and not embrace any straw in its drowning moment is illusionary. Even at that, the APC had before now, issued a statement in that regards. So to add to that means an unnecessary glorification of the PDP.
Also, Akeredolu’s party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, described the award as long overdue in view of the governor’s numerous achievements in all sectors of the state’s economy.
In a statement by the PDP spokesman in the state, Mr Kennedy Ikantu Peretei, the party said: “It beats common sense and logical reasoning for a Governor whose sing song is paucity of funds to mobilise almost everybody in the political circle of Ondo State to Oyo for an award.”
It was titled: “Akeredolu’s Misrule In Ondo State (7): It Is Shameless To Receive Award From A University, When Yours Are Under Lock And Key.”
PDP said: “At the 12th and 13th Convocation ceremony of Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, Oyo State, Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu was honoured with a Doctorate degree in law. This event would have been unworthy of mention but for the number of Ondo State Officials who graced the occasion at tax payers’ expense.
It beats common sense and logical reasoning for a Governor whose sing song is paucity of funds to mobilise almost everybody in the political circle of Ondo State to Oyo for an award. The Legislative Arm of the government was led by the Speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly, Hon. David Oloyelogun, a man being tried for fraud by the EFCC, and a good number of the Assembly men.
The Secretary to the Ondo State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu, led other members of the State Executive Council to the ceremony. Akeredolu’s sister-in-law, Alero Akeredolu coordinated members of the bench to the event. Local Government Chairmen, Traditional Rulers, the entire All Progressives Congress (APC) State Executive Committee under the leadership of Engr. Ade Adetimehin all went to Oyo, to mark the Akeredolu Award Register.
The list is simply endless. If the Governor attached so much importance to this award, is it then not an irony that all the state owned Universities which he is visitor to are under lock and key? Could he received this award if Crowther University has been closed down like the Universities he presides over?
A cursory look at the footages of the ceremony engenders nothing but pity for a man that can shut down the government of Ondo State for the purpose of a personal award that brings no single benefit to the people of the state.
Every passing day, the APC Government under Rotimi Akeredolu demonstrates that, the suffering of the people means nothing to him. Otherwise, he should have quietly gone to Oyo to receive his award without putting a strain on the resources of the state.
I need not add that in the fullness of time, some of these frivolous spendings will be refunded to Ondo State treasury.”
Also in another statement titled “Akeredolu’s Misrule In Ondo State (6): Moves To Buy Up All Local Government Vehicles Through Proxy”, PDP alleged the governor of plan to sell all the 18 local government unserviceable vehicles to “a faceless company that is acting as an agent for him.”
According to the statement: “There is very little hope that, Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN can resist any opportunity to acquire properties ( landed or otherwise) for himself and his immediate family.
Through a circular of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, with Ref number CMG 8741/28 dated 17th November, 2021, the Governor approved the purchase of all unserviceable and obsolete assets in all the 18 Local government Areas by a faceless company that is acting as an agent for him.
The standard practice, is for each local government to get a certified auctioneer to profile such vehicles or assets and through a transparent process auction them. The proceeds paid into the coffers of the concerned Local Government. It is very unfortunate that, governance in the state is now at its lowest ebb where impunity is now the order of the day.
We advise, Mr. Governor to immediately order his agent to return to Ibadan and allow each Local Government to decide on what they wish to do with their assets.”
However, the state government described the PDP’s allegation as the height of insensitivity to the progress and development in the state.
Speaking through the Information and Orientation commissioner, Mr Donald Ojogo, government said: “To expect the opposition PDP to keep quiet without last kicks and not embrace any straw in its drowning moment is illusionary. Even at that, the APC had before now, issued a statement in that regards. So to add to that means an unnecessary glorification of the PDP.
“On the issue, whether or not the immediate past deputy governor, through his aide, also released a statement, I doubt if indeed, that statement was actually directed to be issued.
“The reason is simple; the issue at stake, a doctorate degree in Law, LL.D, Honorary Causa, is far too sophisticated to be comprehended. It cannot be properly discerned by everybody,”
On its own, the ruling APC in the state viewed the conferment of Doctor of Laws (Honorary Causa) on the governor as long overdue.
In a statement by Mr Alex Kalejaye, its publicity secretary, the party expressed gratitude to the management of Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, Oyo State, for the award.
The statement also congratulated Akeredolu, the Government of Ondo State, the Nigerian Bar Association and the informed people of Ondo State on the well deserved honour.
It said: “The award, no doubt, is in recognition of Arakunrin Akeredolu’s selfless contributions to the development of jurisprudence in Nigeria, enhancement of human rights, and his avowed commitment to good governance.
In a society where political leaders seek attention and curry recognition, the legal giant’s preoccupation is to work for the betterment of humanity and posterity. He neither craves accolades nor seeks commendations.
The massive investments of the Ondo State Government, particularly in roads and bridges, industrial expansion, health and agriculture under the leadership of Dr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, in less than five years, is unbeatable anywhere in the country.
The State Chapter of the APC is convinced that the enviable recognition will spur Mr. Governor to further amplify his campaign for justice, fairness, equity, and selfless service in the public sphere.”
