The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State and the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), traded words on Sunday over an alleged plot to cause mayhem in the state and the continued absence of the state governor, Rotimi Akeredolu.
While the APC accused the PDP of plotting to disrupt the peace being enjoyed in the state and claimed to have uncovered plots to instigate a crisis in Akure, the PDP stated that the ruling party is afraid of its own shadow, asserting that the PDP is not known for violence.
This comes as the State Publicity Secretary of the APC, Alex Kalejaye, alleges that the opposition party in the state has concluded all plans to cause mayhem in the state starting today (Monday).
Kalejaye, in a statement, disclosed that the planned protest to cause mayhem was designed to create a semblance of political instability in the state and portray the ruling party in a bad light.
However, the PDP Publicity Secretary, Kennedy Peretei, described the allegation as laughable and said the ruling party is only afraid of its own shadow.
Peretei urged the ruling party to address Akeredolu’s absence from the state and stop the diversionary tactics.
He noted that Akeredolu has been back in the country for over a month and expressed dismay over the Governor’s refusal to return to the state, stating that his absence has caused a total collapse of governance in the state.
He said, “The APC is populated by shameless people. The governor has been absent from his duty post since April this year, yet they are comfortable with the total collapse of governance in the state. The Governor has not been seen in the state since April this year.”
But Kalejaye maintained that Governor Akeredolu, despite his absence, has been discharging his official duties and responsibilities without any hitch, irrespective of his location.
He said the state chapter of the APC was disturbed by the information and condemned the alleged plans to instigate political upheaval and create disaffection among the people.
“We are very optimistic that our governor, your performing governor, will be in our midst in a matter of days.
“It is imperative to state that any political gathering or activity at this time could easily be hijacked beyond the control and capacity of the organisers.
“We, therefore, call on security agencies to be vigilant and ensure that every gathering is well-guided and closely monitored for compliance.
“The party is confident that the APC-led government in Ondo State will continue to invest in projects that have a direct bearing on the welfare of the public,” Kalejaye said.
He, however, maintained that all arrangements had been concluded to disrupt the peace being enjoyed in the state ahead of next year’s governorship election in the state.
Kalejaye said the state has thus far been peaceful, organised, and enjoyed enviable political stability and industrial harmony.
The statement read, “It has come to our knowledge that some PDP chieftains, who have started making huge contributions, in collaboration with some players within our fold, have finalised plans to destabilise the Sunshine State.”
“It is unbelievable that the main opposition party, engulfed by leadership turbulence in Abuja, will prefer to go into an unholy alliance with some elements in the APC to foment an avoidable crisis in Ondo State.”
He frowned upon the planned protest, which was hatched by some elements, over the continued absence of the state Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, in the state, but said the Governor has been performing his official duties.
But the PDP’s image maker said, “The PDP is known for its peaceful and developmental strides in the state. We cannot be accused of planning to create a crisis in the state.”
“It is clear that APC is afraid of their own shadows, having failed to meet the expectations of the people. If they know where Akeredolu is, they should ask him to come out or resign honourably.”
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