PDP, APC bicker over Ondo’s share of FG’s palliatives

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State are at loggerheads over the former’s accusation that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa was hoarding palliatives meant for residents sent to the state by the Federal Government.

According to the PDP, Aiyedatiwa had received the palliatives but was trying to repackage and rebrand them to share with only members of the APC in the state.

In a statement issued by its Director of Media and Publicity in the state, Leye Igbabo, the opposition party described the action of Aiyedatiwa as insensitive and inhumane.

He said: “We had thought that the resolve of the Ondo State people not to join the national hunger protest would have spurred the governor to, more than ever before, consider the awkward predicament of the people and go to any length in alleviating the avoidable hardship.

“We even consider the desire to politicise palliatives’ distribution at the expense of the general populace as not only distasteful and reprehensible but equally absurd and brutal.

“However, we now have reason to believe that the governor’s recent appreciation to the people of Ondo State for not joining the national protest can at best be seen as the shedding of crocodile tears, and we, therefore, call on him to immediately release the palliatives for appropriate distribution to the targeted section of the society without any further procrastination.”

On its part, the ruling APC, which described PDP’s stance on the palliatives’ distribution as irresponsible, said that the issue of the palliatives was handled with transparency.

The APC, in its reaction signed by its Publicity Secretary, Alex Kalejaye, said that all the items received from the Federal Government had been distributed to the 203 wards in the state.

“It is disheartening that once the vibrant opposition party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has been deflated, has no regard for facts or decency, and has also resorted to outright lies with awful recklessness.

“How can a group of individuals, under the aegis of the PDP, contemplate that a sitting governor who has demonstrated compassion and love for the people would rebrand palliatives and take the same to the market for sale? The party described the action as an act of wickedness. Responsible national political parties are better refined.

“The state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, out of sincere concern for the people, has directed the state food security agency to work out a series of measures to cushion the harsh effects of the current economy, which is a global phenomenon.

“The state government package, which would soon be unveiled in six major centres, will witness a 25 per cent reduction in the core food items. Every resident of the state, irrespective of party affiliation, status, or ethnic group, would enjoy the gesture.”