Akeredolu, Aiyedatiwa birds of a feather – Sowore
As activists demand Akeredolu’s Resignation
Omoyele Sowore and many human rights activists on Saturday converged on Akure, Ondo State capital, demanding the resignation of ailing Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu from office.
The activists described the governor, who is currently on another medical vacation, as the “most expensive ghost worker” in the country, calling for his resignation immediately.
Speaking at Akure Town Hall, Sowore emphasised on the need for Akeredolu to resign as the governor of the state so that he could concentrate on his health.
He alleged that the governor had expended state fund worth N7.9billion in form of security vote within the period he was absent from office.
Sowore described the operations of the governor since he returned from medical leave in September till date as criminal because he received pay for job he did not do.
According to the activist, “Governor Akeredolu is the most expensive ghost worker in Nigeria as of now because he spent N7.9 billion on security vote for the period he was not at work. Is that not a ghost worker?
“Even in his right sense, he (Akeredolu) wouldn’t have accepted that somebody is getting paid for not working and the people that are even working in Ondo State, he’s not paying them. Why is he now paying himself when he is not working? So, it doesn’t make sense.”
Sowore declared that he and other civil society organizations were not in Akure to fight for the Acting Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, but rather condemning how the people of the state had been docile about the absence of Governor Akeredolu from the state since he returned from medical leave.
He wondered why the people of the state didn’t protest against the governor’s decision to stay back in his Ibadan residence in Oyo State still claiming to be functioning as the governor of the state and the alleged signature forgery.
Sowore said: “We have tolerated this nonsense for too long in Ondo State. As we wrap up the year, we discover that we just have to intervene in the current crisis in the state. This crisis has been going on for more than one year now.
“We are here today because it was because we demonstrated courage. We are to free the state from the jackals holding the state to ransom. In Ondo, monkeys are now swallowing money in the state.
“Meanwhile, We are not here to fight for Lucky Aiyedatiwa because all of them are the same thing, but we’re here to fight for the people of the state. So, everyone involved in this shenanigans must be arrested in proper order.”
Addressing the gathering, the Executive Director of Enough is Enough (EiE), Md. Yemi Adamolekun said she was shocked by Akeredolu’s decision to appoint his son, Babajide, as a member of the State Executive Council, saying the people of the state should have protested against such decision.
She said: “It’s not about Akeredolu but let me remind you that we allowed things to get to this stage because we allowed it to happen that way. We should have shut down Ondo State even before his son (‘Jide) was appointed as a member of the cabinet.
“So, It’s not about if Akeredolu resigns or resumes but about giving ourselves sense that whoever we are appointing into political offices are those with our interest at heart. Election is coming next year and you should shine your eyes properly. Enough is Enough and this nonsense has to stop.”
Meanwhile, human rights lawyer, Tope Temokun condemned Governor Akeredolu and his family for ruling the state with impunity, particularly since his reelection into office.
He, therefore, called on the people of the state not to relent in exposing any suspected fraudulent activity in the government in the interest of the state.
Governor Akeredolu on Tuesday informed the state House of Assembly that he’s embarking on another medical vacation on Wednesday.
Power had since been transmitted to his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa to function in acting capacity till the governor returns.
