PDP group threatens to occupy Ondo Monday

A group, People's Democratic Party Forever Initiative has threatened to occupy Ondo State on Monday if the ailing Governor of the state, Rotimi Akeredolu, failed to hand over to his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

The PUNCH reports that 33 out of 35 members of the State Executive Council passed a vote of confidence on the governor, while two abstained.

PDPFI National Coordinator, Obande Gideon, who stated this during a press conference in Abuja on Friday, declared that though,the group would continue to pray for his quick recovery, his incapacitation should not affect governance.

He noted that there was a provision for a deputy who should discharge his duties in an acting capacity as empowered by the law.

“The worst of it is the political vacuum in Ondo State where the APC-led Federal Government used in showcasing its ineptitude towards governance in the country.”

“It also happened in Taraba State when the former governor, Danbaba Suntai, had an air crash; we resolved the crisis but the ruling APC has failed woefully in managing the political crisis in Ondo State. This is a sign that the APC-led Federal Government is insensitive to the plights of Nigerians.

“We make bold to say that, if the governor (Akeredolu) fails to resume or hand over power to his deputy within 72 hours, we will have no option than to occupy Ondo State Government House to press home our demand, he stated.

Meanwhile, the Ondo State chapter of the PDP has lambasted the current administration in the state, saying the administration has lost its direction with the present condition of the state.

The opposition party condemned the vote of confidence in Akeredolu, describing the development as a mockery of the State Executive Council.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr Kennedy Peretei, on Friday.

The statement was titled ‘Akeredolu's cabinet dances naked in the market square'.

Part of the statement read, “Now that the State Executive Council has decided to come and dance in the market place naked, it is clear the days of this government are numbered.

“The Ondo State chapter of the PDP wishes to advise Akeredolu's appointees to be honourable in the discharge of their responsibilities instead of making a mockery of themselves in the eyes of the people.”

However, the ruling APC condemned the PDP's statement, describing it as a baseless attack.

The Director of Publicity of the APC, Steve Otaloro, in a statement, said the vote of confidence in the governor was a testimony of the achievements of Akeredolu in various

He said, “The latest criticism from the PDP regarding the State Executive Council's resolution on Governor Akeredolu's government is yet another example of baseless attacks. The resolution commended the governor for his commitment to good governance, integrity, and his exemplary leadership, which has consistently motivated and inspired the council members to fulfill their duties to the state.

“We are pleased that even the PDP acknowledged the Director-General of Performance and Project Implementation Monitoring Unit, Mr Babajide Akeredolu, inspecting ongoing projects in the state capital, debunking their earlier claims that no projects were being executed.”