Oni condemns govt’s plan to pay political appointees jumbo allowance

• Blackmail won’t earn you votes, says APC guber candidate
• My motivation is service, says Fayemi

The governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Chief Segun Oni, yesterday, described the alleged plan by the Ekiti State Government to pay immediate past political appointees severance packages while workers’ salary arrears are left unpaid as wicked and cruel.

He alleged that the state government was diverting funds to buy vehicles and pay severance allowances to local council chairmen and former political office holders as a favour to buy them into supporting the aspiration of the APC candidate.

Oni, who was reacting to a memo on the payment, said such action could dampen the morale of workers.

BUT reacting, the campaign organisation of the APC candidate, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, chided him over the allegations.

He urged Oni to sell his campaign programmes to Ekiti people instead of spreading lies and propaganda.

A statement by the Deputy Director of Media and Publicity of BAO Campaign Organisation, Wole Olujobi, said the governor was only fulfilling his administration’s obligations to the elected officials at the local councils.

MEANWHILE, Ekiti State Governor and APC presidential aspirant, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has said his intention to contest for the presidential seat was borne out of duty and desire to serve and not an ambition.

He said his move was to build on the various achievements and legacies of President Muhammadu Buhari and to address several gaps that had been identified by Nigerians about the state of the nation.

Fayemi, who stated this on Wednesday in Ado-Ekiti when a large gathering of residents, party members and Okada riders welcomed him back to the state capital as he rounded off his tour of states to meet with APC leaders, stakeholders and delegates, said that he joined the presidential race as a result of people’s desire and calls across the geopolitical zones of the country for a reliable person who is sincere and passionate about the peace, unity, prosperity and progress of the country.

He said Nigeria needed the service of someone like him who had the combination of experience both at the subnational and federal levels with vast understanding of how international organisations respond to critical issues, adding that Nigeria needs sincere and committed leader to make Nigeria a better, prosperous and safer place.