The Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Saturday, lambasted the main opposition party in the state, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which accused the state governor, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa of running an illegal government in the last 100 days in office.
Aiyedatiwa was again sworn in as governor on 23 February, having completed the second term of Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, who died in office on 27 December 2023. Over the past few days, Aiyedatiwa has been inaugurating several projects as part of the activities to mark his first 100 days in office.
In a statement by its Director of Media and Publicity, Mr. Leye Igbagbo, PDP said that the governor’s failure to constitute his cabinet was illegal and unconstitutional.
The statement read: ‘The Peoples Democratic Party Ondo State chapter wishes to express its utmost displeasure against the Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, over his continued lack of transparency in governance, which accounts for his refusal to properly constitute his cabinet in the last 90 days.
‘Apart from the fact that the governor is already running foul of the law, specifically Section 192(6) of the 1999 Constitution (as altered) which stipulates that the governor must choose his cabinet members within the 60 days in office after his swearing-in, the governor has equally failed the moral test of inclusive governance which is the hallmark of participatory democracy’.
However, in a statement by its own Director of Media and Publicity on Saturday, Steve Otaloro, the APC said that the governor had fulfilled his constitutional provision concerning the appointment of cabinet members.
Otaloro said that the state APC categorically rejected the ‘baseless allegations made by the PDP regarding the governance of the state’.
It noted that Aiyedatiwa has fulfilled all constitutional requirements for cabinet appointments and is currently appointing additional members with careful consideration to ensure an effective and inclusive administration committed to transparency and accountability.
The APC said: ‘The claims presented by the PDP are not only unfounded but also reflect a desperate attempt to undermine the progress the administration has made in just 100 days of governance.
‘It is important to clarify that Governor Aiyedatiwa has fulfilled the constitutional provision regarding the appointment of members of his cabinet upon assuming office.
‘He has already appointed key cabinet members who are currently engaged in the critical work of governance.
‘The governor is in the process of appointing additional members to other portfolios, a task that requires careful consideration and due diligence to ensure that the best candidates are chosen to serve the interests of the people of Ondo State.
‘This thoughtful approach reflects the governor’s commitment to building a capable and effective team that represents the diverse interests of all local governments.
‘The PDP’s claim of a lack of transparency is a projection of their own failings during their time in office. The Aiyedatiwa administration is committed to transparency and accountability’.
The party said that Aiyedatiwa has prioritised stakeholder engagement to ensure the people’s voices are heard, aiming to build an inclusive and representative government.
Aiyetadiwa has so far nominated two commissioners — Mr. Kayode Ajulo (Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General) and Mrs. Omowunmi Isaac (Commissioner for Finance). He has also name four Special Advisers. The state House of Assembly has approved the nominations.
