By Jubril Bada
The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ondo State, has berated the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, over its claim that the ruling APC grounded the economy and other sectors since it took over the mantle of power in the state.
The APC, in a statement by its State Publicity Secretary, Alex Kalejaye, alleged that the PDP which should be blamed for its claim, said it’s unbelievable that the opposition party could accuse the APC-led government of “grounding the state in six years” and crippled the health and education sectors.
However, in a statement by the State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Kennedy Peretei, had accused the APC-led administration in the state for grounding the state economy in just six years that it has been at the saddle.
This altercation between the political parties started when the PDP replied the APC State Chairman, Ade Adetimehin for his claims during the defection of some chieftains that his party has grounded the PDP in the state.
APC said the recent outburst of the PDP in the state deserves sympathy from all, including the ruling party, which the opposition party ignorantly attacked, adding that there was the need to educate the ailing PDP, led by its chairman Mr. Fatai Adams.
It said: “We concede the right to mourn to the opposition party, after losing political giants like Dr. Olumuyiwa Adu, and his team, but twisting facts smacks of political frustration.
“The APC wishes to remind the good people of Ondo State that the ruling party inherited a dilapidated economy, six years ago. As at the time, it was impossible to pay salaries for over seven months, and several sectors were in disarray.
“Within six years of dedication, commitment and good governance, the APC-led government has changed the narratives. All the unpaid salaries by the PDP have since been cleared by the administration of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu .
“The thought of employing workers into ministries and departments was alien to the PDP led government, for eight years. The APC government has so far employed thousands of workers, to boost the existing workforce and enhance the effectiveness of various government organs. Unlike in the days of PDP, they are enjoying regular payment of salaries.
“The APC government inherited poorly funded State Universities. The Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, was the worst hit by the criminal neglect by the PDP administration. The institutions are healthy today, with regular funding.
“Ours is the only State in the South West zone without a teaching hospital. The APC-led government has taken the bold step to remedy the situation: building two teaching hospitals simultaneously. The projects are almost completed,”
The APC appealed to the PDP to demonstrate maturity in handling the loss, just as it assured that its doors will remain open for those willing to join hands with it , in its selfless drive to build a more economically prosperous state.
Earlier in its swift reaction, the PDP said that the State Chairman of APC, Adetimehin goofed when he claimed his party has grounded the PDP in the state.
According to the statement by the PDP “Ordinarily, one would have ignored such an unguarded and monumental goof, as it may have been due to the influence of alcohol provided by the attention seeking decampees who rolled out drums simply to impress the likes of Adetimehin
“Perhaps, the APC State Chairman would have been correct, if he said his party has grounded Ondo State in just six years that it has been at the saddle.
