Gov Akeredolu’s Absence: PDP Alleges Dissolved LG Chairmen Still Drawing Salary Three Months After Sack

By Ayodele Oni

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo state has alleged that some political office holders in the State, especially former Local Government Chairmen and Councilors,  are still drawing salaries almost three months after their sack.

The Chairmen and Councilors were dissolved in August after the expiration of their three- year tenure.

Senior officials at the Local Government level were directed to take over affairs pending the election of new ones.

The State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) has fixed early 2024  for conduct of council poll.

Spokesman of the State PDP, Kenedy Peretei, in a statement on Thursday claimed that the sacked officials are still enjoying perquisites of office.

The statement said “The multi-dimensional consequences of the absence of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State on his duty post, due to ill-health, once again has come to the fore.

“Local Government Chairmen, whose three years tenure ended since August this year, are still drawing salaries from the state treasury.

“The ugly development is simply because, no new political helmsmen have been appointed by the Governor, who has been battling with his health and there is no agreement between warring factions of the government as to how to fill these sensitive vacancies.

“The former Council bosses refused to hand over their official vehicles in spite of the dissolution of the Councils by Lucky Aiyedatiwa during his tenure as Acting Governor.

“The impunity orchestrated by Akeredolu and his collaborators on the people of Ondo State is unprecedented.

“In Akure South Local Government Area, the Rate Officers, remit Internally Generated Revenue of the Local Government to the former Chairman, who still carries on with all the paraphernalia of his office, apart from resuming in his office.”

The party also pointed to the fact that nobody has been representing the state at meetings with governor’s at the national level.

Since his return from medical trip abroad, Governor Akeredolu had written to the state House of Assembly and informed members of his readiness to resume.

This has stripped the deputy governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa the responsibility of his acting capacity and instead concentrate on how to stop his impeachment by the assembly.

“On Tuesday, 31st October, 2023, President Bola Tinubu held a meeting of National Police Council, in Abuja where all Governors or their Deputies attended.

“Ondo State, was conspicuously absent. Neither has the state had any representation at the regular National Economic Council meetings in Abuja since Akeredolu fell ill.

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ondo State Chapter, once again reiterates that, the plan of Akeredolu’s handlers to profit from this sorry state of affairs and completely run the state aground will be resisted by all lawful means.”