Democracy Day: Ogun PDP scores Abiodun’s govt low

The Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, on Thursday berated the All Progressive Congress government of Gov Dapo Abiodun for failing to entrench good governance in the state.

The PDP in a statement issued by its chairman, Abayomi Tella to mark this year’s Democracy Day, accused Abiodun’s government of incompetence, nepotism and lack of transparency in the running of the affairs of the state.

The party described six years of governance under Abiodun as uneventful as the state can not boast of accelerated road construction and rehabilitation across urban and rural areas, while schools and health centers remain in their deplorable condition despite the huge earnings accruing to the state.

Tella revealed that the completion of major projects inherited from previous administration and new ones promised during the electioneering campaigns, such as Agro-Cargo Airport, road networks linking Ogun with Lagos) are still not in place despite the enormous revenues and earnings of this administration.

The party stated that “Instead, what we have is lopsided execution of infrastructure, with more focus on Iperu and its surroundings, while rural areas like Ogun Waterside, Imeko, Yewa North, Ipokia local government areas remain largely neglected.

“Several campaign projects have either stalled or remained on paper, with a limited visible impact on the grassroots”.

Tella said that there has been no improved access to quality healthcare and rehabilitation of primary healthcare as most public health services are completely abandoned, owing largely to lack of medical personnel

On education, the opposition party said that despite “the naked lies and falsehood of the government, rehabilitation of schools, improved welfare for teachers, and digital learning support, public schools in rural areas still depend on self help interventions of the locals to function, increasing the numbers of out-of-school children in rural areas.

It declared further that in terms of youth empowerment and job creation, many of the empowerment schemes by the government are mere plots to scratch the surface and were more of conduit pipes to divert public resources to some private pockets.

The opposition party explained that “Poor communication with citizens, limited town hall engagements, and allegations of nepotism in project location and employment have always been the hallmark of this administration.

“Details of all public contracts are shrouded in secrecy, with no clear breakdown of spending on key infrastructure. The just concluded Gateway Games readily comes to mind in this regard.

“Despite our insistence that the details of expenditure of the festival be made public for public accountability and public scrutiny, the Abiodun-led APC administration looked away. Definitely, democracy has suffered and Ogun State has suffered more under the clueless watch of Mr Dapo Abiodun”

Tella has however, urged the residents of the state not to lose hope promising that a comforting period that will wipe away their tears is around the corner.

When contacted for reaction, the Special Adviser to Gov Abiodun on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade said that “I will get back to you”

Source: Punch