The Peoples Democratic Party in Ondo has criticised the steps taken by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the state.
It said the dusk till dawn curfew declared by Governor Akeredolu showed a government that is totally ignorant of the culture of its people and disconnected from the people.
The Ondo PDP noted that to restrict movements to nighttime was playing to the gallery and a cheap shot at seeking political benefit from a people whose very lives are threatened by the Governor’s inefficiency.
A statement signed by the Ondo PDP spokesman, Zadok Akintoye, said what the Governor should do to safeguard the lives of Ondo people was to totally shutdown movement across the state without delay.
The statement said the capacity of Governor Akeredolu to effectively manage COVID-19 was suspect.
It said the state government needed assistance in handling COVID-19 but has kept mute and rather resolved to playing politics with issues that affect the lives of the people.
Akintoye stated that if not for the outcry of well-meaning citizens including the PDP, the governor would have put lives at risk by allowing Easter Sunday service to hold.
According to the statement, “Is Akeredolu suggesting that the virus is inactive in the day time? Our people rarely gather in clusters at night and the larger percentage of citizens in Ondo state rarely stay outside their homes at this time.
“The lives of our citizens are far more valuable that any selfish political benefit. Our concern now, stems from the observed indecisive responses of this government to a matter that threatens the existence of our people and state.
“Since the first index case was cited in our dear state, the response of the APC-led government has largely been reactionary and often indicates a government that does not truly believe the magnitude of threat posed by this virus to our people.
“The ODSG has not shown itself capable of attracting the goodwill and support necessary to alleviate the suffering of our people at this time because of its flipflop approach and wishy washy directives which are always reactionary as it seeks to copy what others have done without thinking through what is needed for our people.
“No thanks to obvious show of nepotism and arrogant exclusion of very qualified and capable citizens from government announced committee to raise funds and provide relief materials and support in the fight against this pandemic. Who in his right senses would be willing to fund a committee where the governors’ son and family members/ friends are key administrators of that committee?
“Government must wake up to it’s responsibility of providing clearly defined palliatives and incentives at this time, which must include tax incentives and cuts to persons and businesses affected by this pandemic, provision of free access to adequate healthcare for women and children and must ensure that it provides subsidized food items for the most vulnerable citizens within the state during this period.”
