Ondo govt, PDP disagree over bulletproof cars as Assembly bemoans lack of funds

Ondo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday, expressed outrage over the purchase of two bulletproof Lexus 670 LXE SUVs valued at N1.5 billion, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu bought for himself in spite of government’s inability to pay workers salaries.

It expressed concern in a statement issued by the Publicity Secretary, Kennedy Peretei, who described the latest purchase as “executive recklessness and insensitivity to the plight of the people,” saying it was beyond any rational thinking.

Peretei, who condemned Akeredolu’s frequent procurement of official vehicles on yearly basis, said the governor’s open display of affluence was an affront on the sensibilities of Ondo people.

He lamented that the governor, who could not buy one bag of rice for his party supporters during the Yuletide season, had as much as N1.5 billion to buy cars for his personal comfort.

“It is on record that each time the governor procures official vehicles, he would buy two, one for himself and another for his wife. These latest wonders on wheels were the third set of vehicles he had bought since he assumed office about five years ago.

“However we view it, the truth is that Ondo State deserves something better than it is getting at the moment. We have witnessed prosperity in Ondo State under the PDP administration. We experienced decent life under the PDP compared to the present lack that has become the order of the day,” he stated.

Efforts to speak with the Commissioner for Information on the development, Donald Ojogo, failed, as his mobile telephone line could not be reached as of press time.

Meanwhile, representative of Idanre Constituency in state House of Assembly, Festus Akingbaso, has lamented that the state government was starving the legislature of funds.

Akingbaso said this, yesterday, while speaking with journalists in Akure during the empowerment programme initiated for his constituents, which according to him, transcended party affiliations.

He distributed 25 motorcycles, 20 deep freezers, 10 gas cookers and burners, 10 dryers, 20 sewing machines, 20 generators, 20 grinding machines and five refrigerators to his constituents, saying the items were valued at over N28 million.

The lawmaker, who declared his ambition to run for Federal House of Representatives in 2023, however, disclosed that giving to his constituents was a way to contribute dividends of democracy at the state level.

On his part, former state PDP Chairman, Dr. Tayo Dairo, noted that the empowerment programme was to ensure that people were gainfully engaged in the private sector, as a way to reduce unemployment in the state. (The Guardian)