Ondo: PDP, Akeredolu Exchange Words Over Use Of Field For Reception

By Ayodele Oni

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)  in Ondo State has accused Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of frustrating a reception being organized to receive one of his former Commissioners that defected to PDP.

The former Commissioner, Mrs Yetunde Adeyanju, resigned her appointment after a cabinet reshuffle two months ago, which saw her redeployed from Ministry of Water Resources to Lands.

PDP claimed that she was to be officially received in the fold at an event scheduled to hold at Government Field on Monday.

According to PDP, Governor Akeredolu ordered that the Field should not be made available for the use of the party, a claim which has been denied by the Government.

PDP, in a statement by its Spokesman, Kenedy Peretei,said it  “condemns in strong terms the directive of the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu to deny PDP the use of Government Field Ore to receive Mrs Yetunde Adeyanju into the PDP.

“As preparations were on top gear for the event, the Area Commander arrived to disperse leaders and party supporters as directed from above.

“There is no doubt, Akeredolu is jittery that his party, APC, having performed very woefully will be disgraced at the 2023 general elections.

“This level of high handedness and abuse of public office will not save Akeredolu and his party from failure.

“Mrs Yetunde Adeyanju, the immediate past Commissioner of Water Resources resigned from Akeredolu’s Government two months ago.

“The Governor cannot stand his former Commissioner joining the PDP just 48 hours before the commencement of Campaigns.

“Our party advises Mr. Governor not to allow his fears about failure becloud his reasoning, as this will consume him. Government Field, Ore, does not belong to him but the people of Ondo State.”

But the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Richard Olatunde, in a reaction, stated that: “The fruitless attempt to blackmail Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN, by the PDP is a missed goal.

“The PDP allegation that Governor Akeredolu ordered that the Ore Government Field be made unavailable for its reception rally has further exposed the PDP as an unorganized party with no knowledge of the structures of Government.

“It is important to educate the drowning PDP that the approval for the use of such venue doesn’t reside with the Governor.

“The venue in question is not under the control of the State Government. The Field is under the administration of the Local Government Council.

“In clear terms, Governor Akeredolu knows nothing about the alleged refusal of the use of the field. The Governor doesn’t run the Local Government Councils for the Executive Chairmen.

“Governor Akeredolu is one Governor that has utmost respect for the Local Council Tier of Government.

“Meanwhile, reports from the Local Government Chairman revealed that the PDP didn’t inform the Council of their intention to use the venue today.

“It is most illogical for the PDP to raise false alarm even when it’s aware that it has failed to follow due process on the use of the venue.

“This failed blackmail is another calculated attempt by the PDP to seek undue attention. Governor Akeredolu is busy with the business of government and will not be distracted by the attention seeking gimmick of the PDP.