By Ayodele Oni

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has again hit at the state government, describing the N73,000 newly approved minimum wage for the workers as a ‘ Greek Gift’ warning them to be careful.

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa had on Saturday announced that government had approved N73,000 as new minimum wage for the workers.

It was during the flag off of his campaign for the November election in Ondo city.

Reacting to the offer, the PDP insisted that it was a political statement which could not stand the test of time.

The statement, signed by Ayo Fadaka, spokesman for Agboola Ajayi Campaign Organization of the PDP stated that “We notice with amusement Governor Aiyedatiwa’s decision to raise the minimum wage in Ondo State from the federal government approved ₦70,000 to a paltry ₦73,000.

“This is obviously a hollow pretense that is calculated to present him as a workers’ friendly Governor,  an assumption which falls flat on his face when due cognisance is taken of his failure to do this increment many months back. The fact that is just doing this now is a mere pretence.

“In a brazen display of desperation, this marginal wage increment serves as a flimsy attempt to curry favor with the electorate, masking his administration’s colossal failures across every critical sector.

“It is a move that reeks of calculated deceit, aimed not at alleviating the suffering of the people, but at securing their votes through shallow tokenism.

“A leader who genuinely cares about the welfare of his people would have long since addressed the root causes of Ondo State’s challenges—poverty, unemployment, and the decay of essential services.

“His administration has been defined by neglect, indifference, and a stark lack of empathy for the plight of the common man,  rather than champion sustainable development and meaningful progress.

“He has opted to dangle this meager wage increase as a political carrot, a last-ditch effort to manipulate and hoodwinked the electorate in pursuit of his selfish political survival.

“What makes Aiyedatiwa’s actions particularly wicked is the timing of this so-called wage hike, after months of inertia and complete disregard for the struggles of the workers who keep the state functioning.

“This insulting small increase is now paraded as an act of benevolence, the reality, however, is as clear as day: this cynical strategy is designed not to improve the lives of the hardworking people of Ondo State, but to salvage the political ambitions of a governor who has failed them at every turn.

“While Aiyedatiwa attempts to use this meager raise as political bait, the grim truth remains unchanged.

“The teeming Civil Servants in Ondo State see this latest promise about a new minimum wage increment as another Greek gift to hoodwink unsuspecting members of Ondo State civil service into voting for him.

“The timing is ill-conceived, and nobody is going to take him seriously because he has deceived the civil service once, and they won’t allow him to deceive them one more time – Once bitten, twice shy!”

By Adesina Soyooye

The embarrassing video of a man alleged to be Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa,  in a fist cuff with a woman said to be his estranged wife has been dismissed as not true.

The video of the man with a striking resemblance of the Governor went viral and caused a lot of uneasiness.

It happened in London, with both the man and woman exchanging verbal abuses. The woman, also, went physical.

Because of the striking resemblance, not a few people took it for granted that it was the Governor. That was reinforced by the knowledge that the Governor and his wife have a not-too-tidy relationship. About two years ago when Aiyedatiwa was the Deputy Governor, his wife had released a disturbing story on their relationship. Aiyedatiwa was presented as an irresponsible, indifferent, abusive, adulterous husband and father. His wife, thereafter, was said to have moved out of their official lodge in Akure to London.

But the Ondo State Government has dismissed the story that it was the Governor. It called it fake; said it was the handiwork of  the Governor’s detractors; that it was aimed at tarnishing his image; that the ultimate aim was to chip away on his chances at the upcoming Governorship Election in which the Governor is a front line runner on the ticket of the All Progressives Congress, APC. The Government also pointed out a couple of differences in the physical structure of the man in the video and Governor Aiyedatiwa, and added that unlike the man, the Governor had never worked in London before.

Following is the full text of the Government’s statement  signed by Allen Sowore, the Governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Strategic Communication.

The Circulation of a Female Abuser’s Video to Tarnish Governor Aiyedatiwa’s Reputation is Propaganda Taken Too Far

“As preparations for the November 16th, 2024 Ondo State Governorship Election intensify, it is becoming evident that the incumbent Governor, His Excellency Lucky Aiyedatiwa, is gaining the upper hand. In response, opposition parties, particularly the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), seem willing to resort to any means, including blackmail, fake news, and falsehoods, to tarnish the Governor’s image.

“The latest tactic involves the circulation of a video showing an average age man engaged in a domestic scuffle with his spouse. The malicious intent behind sharing this scandalous clip is to damage the reputation of Governor Aiyedatiwa, who is also the APC candidate.

“For the benefit of the unsuspecting public who may be swayed by the video at first glance, it is crucial to clarify that the man in the video is not the Governor of Ondo State. A closer examination of the video reveals several striking differences:

“1. Facial Hair: Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa no longer wears that type of beard, unlike the individual in the clip. The Governor changed his appearance over a year ago.

“2. Diastema: The man in the video has a noticeable gap between his upper and lower teeth (diastema). Governor Aiyedatiwa does not have this feature.

“3. Voice: The man in the video speaks loudly, and his voice is distinctly different from Governor Aiyedatiwa’s vocal tone.

“4. More importantly, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has never worked in the United Kingdom at any point in his life, as implied in the conversation from the video.

“5. Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has an oval face while the individual in the video has a round face.

“The public is encouraged to carefully examine the video and notice these clear distinctions before arriving at the erroneous conclusion that the man in the video is Governor Aiyedatiwa.

“Finally, those responsible for circulating this misleading video and falsely attributing it to Governor Aiyedatiwa should conduct proper fact-checks and desist from such cheap blackmail. The members of the PDP, who have been circulating this video surreptitiously to paint the Governor in a bad light, should cease their efforts and focus instead on addressing their party’s own issues. Àwon alairikanse.”

Sowore’s statement

is dated October 12th, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Governor, Lucky  Aiyedatiwa, on Saturday, flagged off campaign for his re-election with cheering news to workers as he announced the implementation of N73, 000 minimum wage in the State.

The Governor stated that the new wage, which is over the N70,000 agreed by the Organized Labour with the Federal Government, is to demonstrate his  administration’s commitment to the welfare of the people of the State.

Aiyedatiwa made the announcement during the flag off of the Ondo Central Senatorial District’s leg of the Gubernatorial Campaign of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo City on Saturday ahead of the November 16 election in the State.

The Governor said despite the fact that the federal government approved N70, 000 as the new minimum wage, Ondo will go a step further by paying N73, 000 to its workers.

Aiyedatiwa addressed supporters, urging them to convert their backing into votes for the APC to ensure the continuity of developmental initiatives across the state.

“On November 16, I urge everyone gathered here and those who are not present to convert your support into votes for the APC to ensure the continuation of our significant progress in the state.

“Based on reports and my personal observations, I am confident that you all want this administration to continue beyond 2024.

“I see the love and appreciation from you, and I do not take it for granted. The best way to demonstrate this love is to vote for continuity, which will bring even more dividends of democracy.”

The Governor highlighted the achievements of his administration over the past 10 months, stating, “During my time in office, we have initiated several important projects, including those started by the late governor.

“In agriculture, we’ve taken significant strides, boosting food production across the state. We’ve also approved over a billion naira for land clearing and launched various rural road construction projects to facilitate our farmers’ activities and improve productivity in rural areas.”

The governor reaffirmed his dedication to enhancing security, the health sector, education, and youth empowerment.

He noted that his administration’s efforts have made doctors more willing to stay in the state instead of leaving for opportunities elsewhere, a trend known as the “Japa” syndrome.

To address this, he mentioned that his administration increased doctors’ salaries and allowances.

The State APC Chairman, Ade Adetimehin, also addressed the crowd, urging them to vote for the party to maintain its power.

He emphasized Governor Aiyedatiwa’s commitment to infrastructural development across the state and reminded party members of the importance of safeguarding their voter cards, which are essential for ensuring the party’s continued leadership.