The Peoples Democratic Party in Ondo State has accused Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of spending funds on projects that were meaningless to residents in the state.

It said the Governor spent N2.4bn on renovations at a time poverty was ravaging the land.

Spokesman for the Ondo PDP, Kennedy Peretei, in a statement, said Ondo people were unlucky to have a Governor, who approved N1.2bn for the renovation of V.I.P Lodge,

Peretei said the cost of building a new V.I.P Lodge would be less than N1.2b.

He listed the projects to include N293m for the renovation of the Adegbemile Cultural Center, Akure, N90m for the renovation and refurbishing of the office of the Commissioner for Finance and N775m for the renovation of the Government House Gate and perimeter fence.

According to the statement, “How many Ondo State people will benefit from a renovated V.I.P Lodge? Do we need a soothsayer to tell us how unlucky our people are, with Aiyedatiwa?

“Since the International Cultural and Event Centre (The Dome) was commissioned, how many events have been held at Adegbemile? Which sensible government will now commit N293m of the people’s money to renovate a building that does not add anything to their wellbeing?

“All the four approvals were given on the same day, 26th September, 2024. Not one of these projects will benefit the people of the state directly. A man who does not take the welfare of the people as a priority cannot turn round to tell them, they are lucky to have him as their governor. It is an irony.”

But Ondo Commissioner for Information Wale Akinlosotu, said approvals and expenditures were deliberately geared towards the development of all sectors of the state.

Akinlosotu, reiterated the commitment of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s administration to putting in place all necessary infrastructure and maintenance of existing ones in the interest of the people of the state.

He said, “We ordinarily ought not to respond to that attack because we can see the handiwork of the opposition in the report as it is clear that PDP was speaking from the position of frustration owing to its apparent loss in the forthcoming election, but for the sake of the people of Ondo State who we are accountable to.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the approval by the State Executive Council for remodelling of the Government House gate, perimeter fence, and other renovations recently are part of the efforts of the Aiyedatiwa administration to improve on the infrastructure of the state. It is the responsibility of the government to renovate, to beautify, and to ensure state infrastructures are in the best condition at all times.

“The approvals and the fact that project executions are ongoing in all parts of the state the forthcoming election notwithstanding show the commitment of the government not to be distracted by politics and ongoing campaigns.”

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum has instructed all feuding members within the party to return to the status quo.

The directive was issued by the forum’s chairman, Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, following a meeting of PDP governors that extended into the early hours of Tuesday.

Governor Mohammed clarified that while disagreements are inevitable in any political party, such issues can always be resolved amicably.

“There is no crisis,” he said, emphasizing that the party’s various groups, including the Governors, Board of Trustees (BoT), and National Assembly caucus, have reached a consensus for the National Working Committee (NWC) to restore the status quo.

Mohammed added that all suspensions within the party have been nullified, signaling an effort to maintain unity within the PDP.

Further details on the outcomes of the meeting are expected later.

The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Umar Damagum is calling for the arrest of Yayari Mohammed for impersonation and breaching a court order.

This demand follows a recent ruling from an Abuja Federal High Court that barred the PDP’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and Board of Trustees (BoT) from removing Damagum as the party’s Acting National Chairman.

Acting National Publicity Secretary Abdullahi Manga expressed this stance during a press conference in Abuja, emphasizing that Mohammed’s actions contravene the court’s directive.

“The security agencies should act against Mohammed and others for impersonation and violation of court order,” he stated, asserting that there are no alternatives left but to involve law enforcement to uphold the rule of law.

Manga clarified that the court order was issued prior to Damagum’s suspension, asserting, “The court order came before the supposed suspension. We were all here when the suspension came, and that was far after the court order.”