…Advises to pay hungry workers
The People Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun state has described the intention of the state governor, Prince Dapo to borrow money to fund Sport Festival as baseless and advised him to pay the hungry workers.
This was revealed in a release signed by the Publicity Secretary of the Party, Asiwaju Akinloye Bankola on Thursday in Abeokuta the Ogun State capital.
“It is indeed a matter of urgent attention the need to understand and explain the manner of tragedy that has befallen the good people of Ogun state with the emergence the Dapo Abiodun led Government in the state.
“Going by the reports in the media that Ogun state government is making preparations to host the next edition of National Sports Festival, Ogun state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP regards this as the height of insensitivity and misplacement of priority. For a government that has flagrantly refused to pay its workers even as at four days to Christmas is unthinkable.
“It is even more worrisome going by the style of conducting the business of governance in secrecy, the Dapo Abiodun led APC government should by now, be expected to have, again, been on a renewed borrowing and spending spree to host the sports festival. This is because the government is manifestly not trustworthy.
“While we make bold to say this, it is equally important to remind members of the public that PDP is not adverse to the state government’s plan of hosting events such as the national sports festival; as it could be justified for youth and sports development but at the wrong time.
“Our opposition to it at this time is on the moral question of priority and immediate need of the state. It is senseless of any government which can not fulfill its basic statutory obligations to its workforce to prioritize borrowing just to host a sport event while legitimate workers are dying of hunger.
“It would be recalled that PDP Government in 2006 hosted the 4th National Sports Festival tagged “Gateway Games”, that was the time Ogun state was basking in its full glory; the state was not owing its workers, the State was not ranked number 3 on the list of most indebted states in Nigeria. Ministry of sports and Youth Development was hale and hearty and coordinating quality service delivery which resulted in the State contingent coming 2nd position on medals table. This was a memorable period when Youth and Sports Development had its major core objective where three new stadia and sporting rendezvous centers were added to Ogun State assets.
“Regrettably however, the succeeding APC Governments since 2011 did not only abandon Youth and Sports development across the State, all the facilities hitherto developed by PDP government were left to depreciate under their watch. It is an unpardonable tale of rot, wastage and brazen irresponsibility!
“We specially appeal to members of the public and specifically members of the state workforce that it is just time to stop further act of wickedness of Dapo Abiodun and his rudderless APC from presiding over the state affairs. Dapo Abiodun and APC have failed spectacularly and 2023 general elections provides an apple opportunity to vote PDP back to restore the old glory of our dear state.
“It is clear that this Governor does not care about the survival of its citizens in the midst of avoidable hardship caused by his ineptitude and cluelessness in administering a state like Ogun state where hard working residents are denied every right to live.
“It is now obvious to all that the only thing that interest Dapo Abiodun and his sinking APC now is reelection. He has successfully sacrificed the prosperity and the common good of Ogun state on the alter of his selfish personal ambition. It is time for every citizen with good conscience to stop him and his infantile desperation.