At a time the people of Ondo State cannot sleep with the two eyes closed, the Governor of the state, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has procured an award from the Association of Community Pharmacists in Nigeria. We say this is a misplacement of priority.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ondo State Chapter, believes that the mood of the state does not support such an open display of insensitivity to the plight of the people.
Just last week, Thursday, 26th November, 2020, a first class monarch, Oba Israel Adeusi, the Olufon of Ifon, was murdered by unknown gunmen. The Oba was on his way back to his domain, after attending Council of Obas meeting in Akure, the state capital.
The Ondo State Council of Obas, traumatized by this sacrilegious occurrence that threw the entire state into panic mode is far from recovery. Yet, our Governor, can fly more than 400 kilometers from Akure to Abuja to pop champagne in celebration of an award.
On that same Thursday, a commercial Bank was robbed in broad day light at Ode-Irele for more than 45 minutes. Governor Akeredolu’s Chief of Staff’s wife, was also a victim of kidnap to complete the orgy of violence for that black Thursday. Whereas, the Chief of Staff’s wife was released within 24 hours in controversial circumstances as both Amotekun and the Police laid claim to how the woman was released. How Akeredolu can have the presence of mind to attend such an award ceremony when the state is in such trauma beats one’s imagination.
Criminal activities of robbers, kidnappers and bandits have overwhelmed Ondo State dwellers that, life is no longer normal. People can no longer travel for even short distances within the state, without fear of being kidnapped or robbed. Everybody lives in fear. Like Akeredolu himself acknowledged at the Palace of Olufon when he paid a visit to commiserate with Ifon people.
“The security situation in the state is becoming unbearable”.
Such a statement can only come from a man who is already at his wit’s end. He cannot hide under the cover of not being in charge of security agencies in the state. There is no justification for the whooping monthly 600 million naira taken as security vote by the Governor, if he does not know what to do to bring sanity to our state.
Prior to the black Thursday, Chief Olu Falae’s farm at Ilu- Abo was attacked by herdsmen. The elder statesman, who has serially played host to herdsmen attack and kidnap cried for help without any kind of help reaching him. There have been many cases of kidnap, robberies and violence that were not reported by the media for obvious reasons.
Instead of an award of honour, Akeredolu should be decorated with garlands of the state with the worst security challenges in the South West. That would have probably made more sense.
As a matter of urgency, Governor Akeredolu should convene a security summit to look at ways to address the security situation in the state. There are Ondo State indigenes that can advise him on how to stem this dangerous tide.
The award he has gone to receive in Abuja is outrightly misplaced.
Kennedy Ikantu Peretei.
State Publicity Secretary, PDP, Ondo State.
1st December, 2020.
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