Ondo 2020: Akeredolu, Deputy Trade Accusations Over OSOPADEC Fund
By Osagie Otabor, Akure
Governorship candidate of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) Hon Agboola Ajayi has told residents in coastal areas of the state to blame Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for the poor state of development in the area.
Ajayi said fund meant to develop the oil- rich region through the Ondo State Oil and Gas Producing Areas (OSOPADEC) was mismanaged by Akeredolu.
He disclosed one of the reasons he fell out with his boss was the mismanagement of the fund accruing to the state for development of the coastal areas.
The Deputy Governor who spoke at Igbokoda, Agadagba and Igbekebo communities in Ilaje and Eseodo Local Governments areas, said OSOPADEC fund was in the coffers of few individuals in the state.
Ajayi, who tasked Akeredolu to account for billions that accrued to OSOPADEC, said he would prevent stealing of the commission’s fund if elected as Governor.
He promised to increase allocation meant for the development of the region as according to him, the present 40 percent out of the 13 percent was inadequate.
Ajayi said the way Akeredolu treated him as his Deputy showed there was nothing special about being a Deputy Governor adding that the prompt release of OSOPADEC fund was far better than being a lame duck Deputy nominated by the wife of the governor.
His words: “God will not forgive those who steal our fund in OSOPADEC. It is unfortunate that this government cannot point to one project executed with our fund in the past three and half years.
“I am not going to treat my Deputy the way Akeredolu treated me. I am the one that said I am not interested in Deputy. The wife of the governor now nominated Lucky Ayedatiwa as the running mate of her husband.”
Ajayi also reiterated his stand he was not going into alliance with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of October 10 governorship election.
Akeredolu, who spoke through his Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Donald Ojogo, said Ajayi was only misinforming the electorates.
“We are not surprised he is saying so because it is part of him to misinform, mislead and sustain untruths for his personal ambition.
“If Governor Akeredolu was mismanaging OSOPADEC funds, it means he the deputy Governor is more culpable because he was directly in charge of OSOPADEC.
“He ensured his companies got contracts from the agency and collected so much money so such. Ajayi plundered OSOPADEC”.
