The much hyped Flag-off Campaign by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa at the Ondo City Stadium on Saturday, 12th October, 2024 was not only a show of shame but an anticlimax.
The Stadium which hosted various high calibre sporting events in the past was a ghost of its former self with dilapidated pavilion as though, that was what the Governor intended to showcase to the entire world. The Stadium was visibly empty. Not many people, already pauperised by this same government could be hoodwinked to come and receive their “Tormentor-in-Chief”. The people showed their disapproval, with their turnout at the Ondo City Stadium.
In frustration, the Governor ensured that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was denied the use of the Chief M.K.O Abiola Democracy Park for its Flag-off Campaign, citing reasons of late application, not because it had been booked. Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa must be reminded that, the facility was built by the Dr Olusegun Mimiko’s administration for the use of Ondo State people, not for the purposes of politics of jealousy and vindictiveness.
From the footages of the Ondo City Stadium outing of the Governor, one cannot but compare him with the Emperor in Danish author, Hans Christian Andersen’s tale of “The Emperor’s New Clothes”. According to the story, two conmen reputed for making expensive dresses reached out to the Emperor to make a dress for him that would be exquisitely elegant. The conmen however told the Emperor that only stupid people would be unable to see the fabric with which the dress was made.
The Emperor sent his cabinet members to visit the supposed dress makers before completion. They all returned with praises for the conmen for fear of being called stupid. Even the Emperor visited before the day the dress was to be ready. He did not see the fathom dress but also joined the multitude to appreciate the conmen.
When the dress was ready, the Emperor accompanied by his cabinet members and retinue of aides went through the streets naked, claiming he was wearing the most expensive dress. It took just a little boy in the street, who screamed “But the Emperor is naked”, for the total disgrace and deceit to become open. This will be the lot of Lucky Aiyedatiwa, with all those shouting “Ondo State is Lucky”. They live in denial. A State where its helmsman flagged off his campaign on a dilapidated Stadium cannot claim to be lucky.
A few Bus stops built by Dr Olusegun Mimiko in Akure were repainted, decorated with probably what Aiyedatiwa’s strategists consider as his scorecard. I visited about four of such Bus stops, l was shocked that, on display were photographs of an uncompleted Fly-over at Onyearugbulum, flagged off by his predecessor more than two years ago. Distribution of fertilizers and other ongoing projects. Are these all the Governor can showcase in ten months, when serious minded Governors dot their States with life-impacting projects in 100 days in office?
The road dualisation projects in Oda and Ijoka roads have been work in progress like forever. If Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa cannot boast of any concrete achievements in ten months, those expecting that he would perform, if voted for a four-year tenure have no evidence on which to anchor their expectations.
Those who say Ondo State is Lucky are not different from the characters in “The Emperor’s New Clothes”, but Ondo State people know they are not lucky with a man who has been sleeping for ten months.
Peretei is the publicity secretary of Ondo state PDP. He writes from Akure.
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