RE: GOVERNOR AIYEDATIWA'S HOARDING AND REPACKAGING OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PALLIATIVES ALLOCATED TO ONDO STATE By: Allen Sowore, Esq

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RE: GOVERNOR AIYEDATIWA’S HOARDING AND REPACKAGING OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PALLIATIVES ALLOCATED TO ONDO STATE By: Allen Sowore, Esq

I must address the false claims made by the Ondo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in a press statement signed by the Director of Media & Publicity, Mr. Leye Igbabo. The statement alleges that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa is hoarding and repackaging the recent Federal Government palliatives allocated to Ondo State, which are intended for distribution to the less privileged and most vulnerable in our society.

To set the record straight, Ondo State received a total of 20 truckloads of 25kg bags of rice, with each truck containing 1,200 bags, amounting to 24,000 bags in total. Upon receipt, the state government established a committee to ensure the fair and equitable distribution of these palliatives, specifically targeting those in need.

The committee includes representatives from various sectors of society, with each of the LGAs having a Distribution Committee led by a State Executive Council member and a State House of Assembly member from that constituency. The committees also include the Head of LG Administration, Security Agencies, Obas, representatives from CAN/PFN, the Muslim community, notable community leaders, CSOs, artisans, market women/traders, SEMA, NULGE, persons living with disabilities, youth associations, and any other groups catering to the needy and vulnerable.

The committees have been distributing the palliatives to people across the board irrespective of their political inclinations and religious backgrounds in their respective LGAs for the past three to four weeks.

The PDP should have verified the facts with the Distribution Committees in the respective LGAs before making baseless allegations against the state government and the Governor. The tone and language of the press statement suggest a clear intention to mislead.

To falsely accuse the Governor of repackaging and reallocating the palliatives to APC members for personal political gain ahead of the November 16, 2024 gubernatorial election is both malicious and unacceptable. It is also hypocritical for the PDP to refer to the Governor’s ascension as “accidental,” given that their own party produced Dr. Goodluck Jonathan as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria after the unfortunate death of President Musa Yar’Adua in 2010.

The resolve of the Ondo State people to stay clear of the #EndBadGovernanceProtest reflects the integrity and acceptance of the Governor, even ahead of the upcoming gubernatorial election.

I urge the people of Ondo State to disregard this unfounded blackmail and propaganda from a party in decline. Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa remains committed to the welfare of the people. The State Ministry of Agriculture has created an opportunity for the people to buy food items directly from the farmers every Wednesday. This is to completely remove the unwholesome activities of the middle men. Also , the government has concluded arrangements to launch more comprehensive programmes to support farmers and enhance the uninterrupted supply of affordable food to the people.

Allen Sowore, Esq.
SSA to the Governor on Strategic Communication
10/08/2024