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like the former governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Peter Ayodele Fayose, Ondo state civil servants and pensioners are in pain, courtesy of Aketi

INTRODUCTION

The current Alani of Idoani, Major Gen. Olufemi Olutoye (Rtd), said in one of his interviews that he refused to participate in the first coup in Nigeria because of the value he has for humanity. When late Major Kaduna Ezegwu complained about the excesses of the politicians of the first republic during their military course in India, he preempted he was planning to destabilize the first democracy. Though he initially shared in Major Kaduna Ezegwu’s idea of sanity in political space and that Chief Obafemi Awolowo was unjustly detained, who should also be the prime minister then, he finally opted out when Major Kaduna Ezegwu told him that Nigerians would be unavoidably killed in course of the coup.

Gen. Olufemi Olutoye Rtd believed that he was in Nigerian Army to protect Nigerians and not to kill any Nigerian. Considering the background of this retired army top-notch, being a son of an Anglican priest with a Godly upbringing, he cherished the lives of Nigerians. This may explain the grace of longevity in his life and why his children are doing well both at home and abroad. In the same vein, Gov. Akeredolu Oluwarotimi SAN, who is also a son of an Anglican priest should be a succor to the people of Ondo State but the reverse is the current situation of things in the sunshine state. The state civil servants and pensioners are in pain due to hardship they never bargained for, because of several months of unpaid salaries.

I often imagine how they have been coping without salaries of, at least, five months in the twelve months calendar year of 2022. As much I won’t want to discuss the suffering politicians, mostly APC members who have been conquered by governor Akeredolu turned oppressor. We have the consolation that these politicians got their money during primary elections in which they would go for the highest bidders but these civil servants can’t be blamed for their current predicaments and pensioners who are currently helpless, many of them have died because of unpaid allowances. It’s like the governor of the state derives pleasure in the current suffering and smiling status of his citizens, otherwise, he would prioritize the salaries of the civil servants which indirectly controls the economy of the state.

SOME CIVIL SERVANTS WHO WON’T FORGIVE AKETI

All the civil servants in the state are indeed battered by the government of Arakunrin but some of them are worse hit by Aketi’s abysmal style of governance.

Rufus Giwa polytechnic, Owo’s members of staff

The teaching and non-teaching members of this higher institution of learning can’t forget the hardship they have gone through at the hands of Aketi. The surprising thing is that the Polytechnic was established by an Owo man, Pa. Adekunle Michael Ajasin, sited in Owo in Ondo state, the home town of Gov. Akeredolu. If you care to know, it’s the oldest state-owned higher institution. Apart from the fact that Arakunrin is the only governor who hasn’t established any institution of learning, unlike Chief Adebayo Adefarati who established Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, also, Late Dr. Olusegun Agagu established state-owned University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa being named after him.

In the same vein, the immediate past governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, being a medical doctor, established the University of Medical Science, Ondo. Nobody says Aketi must follow suit by establishing a University, mostly when he (Aketi) is claiming that Ondo State is financially broke, he is supposed to keep alive the only state-owned institution in his town rather than the present state of comatose. The members of staff are owed almost a year of salary arrears. It’s only a wicked man who could do this or how would a reasonable leader expect people to survive without twelve months’ calendar year salaries?

There were over five hundred medical doctors in the state civil service before the advent of Aketi’s administration but they have significantly reduced to just above a hundred. The remaining ones are those who couldn’t leave because of their levels, they can’t afford to start afresh. In a nutshell, the health sector has collapsed in the state, courtesy of Arakunrin. Likewise, the teachers who believed not to see the bad days of Gen. Abacha’s regime again, are currently facing a worse situation. Despite that the present administration hasn’t employed more hands to relieve the teaching services which are significantly short-staffed, it has further exposed them to ridicule and extorsion by inhumane policy from Aketi. Time will fail me to go into details of everything, the summary is this, we have never had this bad in Ondo state.

IN CONCLUSION

There is no respite in sight with Aketi’s government for civil servants in Ondo state. A government that unprecedentedly generated over 31 billion last year as IGR and preferred to spend it on roads and white elephant projects is an anti-people government. The labour union leaders who should fight for them have been compromised.

Nevertheless, Ondo State people are prayerful people, God who handled Gen. Abacha for suffering Nigerians then, he’s still on the throne. Our people should not fail to pray to God, he knows how to deal with a wicked leader. The civil servants received January salary in June 2022, it’s crystal clear that the current governor is clueless and has no regard for the welfare of his citizens. Definitely, we have another man who is worse than Gen. Abacha, leading us as the incumbent governor in Ondo State.

Dr. Akeredolu O.N. leader, Aketi medical team, 2016 and vice-chairman Aketi-Aiyedatiwa Medical Committee, 2020

Press Statement

The statement supposedly made by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in respect of the remarks made by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, at the funeral mass for the slain victims of Owo terror attack did not come as a surprise to the Ondo State Government.

The assertion credited to the opposition shows its lack of empathy and respect for humanity. It is an unnecessary gloat that greatly offends the collective psyche of the people of the state.

The PDP, which obviously doesn’t know the limits of politics, is attempting to reap political capital at the expense of human lives. It is politics taken too far.

Since the unfortunate incident of Owo attack, the people of the state and across the country have collectively mourned the departed while praying for the injured to heal fast.

It is very sad that the PDP, in its characteristic manner, has shown that it places politics above human lives. At this time when the state is still struggling with the pains of the heinous attack, the opposition party has found it convenient to scoop political gains from the excruciating pains inflicted on humanity by the incident.

As we speak, the tombs of the deceased are even yet to dry, but the PDP couldn’t wait to dance on their graves. This infantile and inhumane brand of politics depicts what the party stands for.

For the records, let it be known that Governor Akeredolu’s remark at the burial mass for the slain victims of Owo attack last Friday was a sober reflection of the overwhelming security situation in the country. It was a projection of the helpless situation the sub-nationals have found themselves under the government at the centre in a federation.

The Governor’s remark was targeted at the need for the country to retrace its steps and adopt true federalism which encourages state police. This was a call that had been made even since the era of the PDP-led administration at the centre.

It is also a general knowledge that what has come to stay as terrorism in Nigeria today started under the PDP administration. The PDP in Ondo State must have forgotten that he who comes to equity must come with clean hands.

Nevertheless, we are not prepared to join issues with the PDP over this matter. The lives of the slain victims are too important to us to trivialise in the public space. Besides, government is pre-occupied with deepening efforts at ensuring that those receiving medical care at the various hospitals are well catered for.

As the Bishop of Ondo Catholic Diocese, Bishop Jude Arogundade alluded, Governor Akeredolu’s determination to secure the lives and property of his people can not be questioned. He has shown unbridled commitment to security with courage and sincerity.

It is unfortunate that the PDP would refer to the issue of workers’ salary as a way of portraying failure in government. Indeed, selective amnesia is the hallmark of a bad political culture.

The same opposition party who left government with an unpaid seven months salaries is now mourning more than the bereaved. In actual fact, the PDP bled the state dry with an unparalleled impunity. We can only sympathise with them as they are now being haunted by the ghost of their terrible past.

It is not only uncanny but also uncharitable for the PDP, whose legacy of unpaid seven months salaries contributed immensely to the excruciating economic challenges in the state, to raise issues on workers’ salaries.

The misplaced allusion to the Governor’s statement at the funeral mass as well as the weak nexus between same and the issue of workers’ salaries expose the PDP as a lazy party without direction.

We will not prevent the PDP from sliding into this path of perfidy, but we shall not forget to warn against playing politics with the precious lives of the people of the state, and dishonouring the memories of the innocent compatriots who fell to the bullets of terrorists.

Signed:
Richard Olatunde
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State.
June 20, 2022.

AKEREDOLU’S MISRULE IN ONDO STATE (19): FLIP SIDE OF THE OWO MASSACRE.

By: Kennedy Ikantu Peretei

In the last two weeks, Ondo State has played host to the rest of the world. Receiving condolence messages, men and women who paid visit to the ancient city of Owo, over what has been appropriately referred to as the Owo massacre.

Gunmen (who are still unknown, apart from Rauf Aregbesola, Minister of Interior’s declaration that they were members of ISWAP) attacked St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo with explosives and guns. At the Funeral Service for a mass burial organised by the Catholic Church, Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu who was in tears remarked that, the government failed to defend the victims.

There have been several matters arising from the barbaric incident. The first was the war of words between Akeredolu and Aregbesola, both members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The second was a tweet that went viral, credited to a civil servant in the State who questioned the call for people to donate blood to some of the victims who were in hospitals in Owo and environs.

What Akeredolu said at the burial service, was a confirmation of what every sensible Nigerian has said about the APC government and its agents. That the government has failed the people is the truth. Akeredolu’s qualification of the failure as “not because we have not tried but because those forces on the other side are evil and they have support” amounts to begging the question.

At least I appreciate the humility of the Governor to openly admit the failure of the APC government, whether at the centre or at home in Ondo State. It is a further proof as to the reason why such an “evil” government should not be allowed beyond 2023.

While the whole of Ondo State mourned and grieved over the massacre, the pains of civil servants came to the centre stage again. This was against the backdrop of calls for volunteers to donate blood to save lives of those who were in hospitals.

The response captured on Twitter was this: “While most children are anemic, parents can’t afford proper medical care for men… prior to this, there had been a crazy staffing crisis. Civil servants have parked their cars due to inability to buy tyres, service or fuel them. We owe tonnes of bills in kid’s school fees and food stuff bought on credit. Hungry people neither donate blood nor volunteer”. In what other ways can a government fail the people other than this?

Teachers in Ondo State who just received January, 2022 salaries on 7th June have been put on notice that, effective from July 2022, it will be mandatory to have a Master’s Degree in Education or a six months training at Public Service Institute, Ilara-Mokin to qualify for promotion. For those without M.Ed, the six months training comes with a one hundred and thirty thousand naira financial requirement.

For this category of workers who are already in a very bad shape, what a very ingenious way of creating hardship for the people. In what other ways can a government fail the people?

Training and re-training are key requirements for every organization desirous of efficiency and growth. But there are always safety nets and welfare packages that make such training sought after. This one being proposed by Akeredolu is ill-timed and the height of insensitivity to the plight of the people.

As much as l share in the pain and grief of the massacre in Owo, this is the flip side we cannot shy away from.

This series will continue shortly. The next, which is series 20 will be a recap of MISRULE from 1-19.

Written by: Kennedy Ikantu Peretei

Ondo State Publicity Secretary,

People’s Democratic Party (PDP).