The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State have reignited a war of words over an allegation that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa abandoned road construction projects initiated by his predecessor, the late Rotimi Akeredolu.
The opposition PDP, in a statement on Sunday by its spokesman, Leye Igbabo, accused Mr Aiyedatiwa of “political vendetta”, noting that the governor abandoned the projects to destroy Mr Akeredolu’s legacy.
“The available facts showed that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa was not ready to go on with the projects because of his clear intention to destroy his predecessor’s legacy on the altar of political vendetta against the late governor and his camp, who allegedly did all within their power to strive to deny him ascension to the office of the governor when the late governor was clearly incapacitated by ill-health and even after the ultimate death of the immediate past governor,” the PDP said.
The party listed the alleged abandoned projects as including Ijoka road construction, Alagbaka extension road, and Onyearugbulem junction flyover bridge.
The PDP queried why Mr Aiyedatiwa, “who has huge resources at his disposal,” would find it difficult to complete them when the government is a continuum.
“Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa was said to have boasted of his powers as the executive governor to stop any projects that do not catch his fancy and that those who had benefited from the projects by way of monetary and/or material rewards should also go ahead to look for means of financing the said projects to completion.
“Our party has sufficient reasons to suspect very strongly that these allegations of an attempt to abandon and destroy his predecessor’s legacy could be very true,” the PDP said.
The party further noted that it felt Mr Aiyedatiwa’s level of “animosity” towards his predecessor’s camp, alleging further that the incumbent governor refused to complete the ongoing 3 km Alagbaka Extension road project in front of his own house.
Reacting, the governing APC denied the allegation, noting that the PDP was attempting to regain relevance by fabricating claims that lacked facts.
Steve Otaloro, the state APC spokesperson, said the party was aware that the PDP is now interested in creating discord rather than offering constructive criticism.
Mr Otaloro stressed that the opposition party’s attempt to discredit Mr Aiyedatiwa with baseless propaganda reflects the umbrella party’s internal struggles and declining relevance.
“Firstly, we would like to emphasise that all projects initiated under the previous administration of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu are receiving the attention they deserve.
“Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa views the past administration as an extension of his own, as he served as deputy governor during that time. It is, therefore, nonsensical for the PDP to suggest that Governor Aiyedatiwa would undermine the legacy he helped build by neglecting ongoing projects.
“In fact, Governor Aiyedatiwa has recently commissioned several road projects and infrastructure developments, including the Oda road and its extensions, which were foundationally laid by the late governor Akeredolu. These actions reflect our commitment to continuity and progress rather than the abandonment of vital projects,” Mr Otaloro stated.
