- Security agents, politicians clash in Akure
BY TIMOTHY AGBOR
More controversies have trailed the absence of the Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu in governance of the state.
The People’s Democratic Party has protested the drop in the appearance of the governor and issued him a three-day ultimatum to either resume office at Government House, Akure or resign.
The PDP members had earlier taken to the streets on Monday to voice their concerns over the governor’s absence in office before some security operatives stopped them.
A detachment of Nigeria Police Force operatives and their counterparts in the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps had stopped the proposed processions.
The security operatives on Monday blocked the PDP Secretariat at Alagbaka, Akure, to prevent protests by the opposition members.
The members of the party, mostly youths, clashed with the armed security agents who stormed their secretariat following the planned protest.
However, the protests moved online, with party members using the hashtag #ResumeOrResign.
A post on X by the Ondo PDP Vanguard with Akeredolu’s picture read, “If found, kindly return to Alagbaka Government House of Office!”
Addressing journalists, the leader of the PDP youth wing, Olutayo Oluyi, said the party had written to the security agents, especially the police, about the protest to prevent it from being hijacked.
“But to our surprise, we saw security agencies with Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) and their vehicles with about 400 personnel armed to the teeth at the front of our secretariat.
“We asked them what they were doing here, but they said they wouldn’t allow us to enter our secretariat after some time; they allowed us access, but some of our staff were asked to leave the office,” he said.
While noting that Akeredolu could not continue to rule the state through a proxy, Oluyi said it was high time the governor resigned if he was no longer capable of leading the state.
“So, we are giving him three days ultimatum to address us, and if he fails, we as the opposition party will occupy the streets of Akure, and we will continue to demand that he either resumes or resigns,” he stated.
The party’s spokesperson, Kennedy Peretei, condemned the invasion of the secretariat by security agents, stating that staff were denied access to their offices by the officers who offered no explanations for their actions.
“It took frantic efforts of members of the PDP State Working Committee before the secretariat gate was opened amidst serious tension and confrontation.
“Photojournalists were threatened to stop recording anything lest their cameras were smashed. But as the PDP youths forced themselves into the secretariat, proceeding on a street protest would amount to daring the trigger-happy police to do their worst.
“As much as the officers tried to stop the protest, they failed because the youths displayed their banners and placards to journalists who gained entrance into the secretariat,” Peretei explained.
But the spokeswoman for the Ondo Police Command, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, said the police officers were drafted by the party secretariat to prevent the breakdown of law and order.
“We sent our personnel to the area to prevent law and order. We had gotten a letter from one Tayo Oluyi. But we are not sure if the letter was actually from the opposition party because there was no contact or address to reach out to, and the content had no letterhead.
“So, we were very skeptical, and we had to send our men down to prevent the breakdown of law and order. Protest is the right of the citizens, but we are advising that it must be done in accordance with the law,” she said
After his prolonged medical vacation abroad, Governor Akeredolu returned to the country a few weeks ago.
When he returned, the governor met with his appointees and other cabinet members in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
However, he has not resumed office in Akure since then, prompting speculations that he might have relapsed in his recovery process.
Reacting to Akeredolu’s absence in an interview, Ondo PDP Chairman, Fatai Adams, said the government of the state should not be operated like Akeredolu’s family property.
He said Akeredolu’s continued stay away from the state has been affecting governance negatively, adding the deputy governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has also left Ondo since his impeachment saga started.
“Most people were happy when the news broke that the governor had returned but just as you know, before he could leave the hospital, he would have been certified fit. Ever since, we have been hearing that the governor is in Ibadan. And we have left the era of the western region when governors stay in Ibadan to administer Yoruba land. As I am speaking with you, we have not seen the governor, the deputy governor is nowhere to be found, all council chairmen are nowhere to be found. There are no councillors.
“Ondo State is just there. Both governor and deputy are not in Ondo. The state is directionless. The highways in Ondo State are becoming so weedy because there is no governance. There are potholes all over the roads. Nothing is moving in Ondo. No one is giving directions and the commissioners are doing whatever they like. The deputy governor that should be in charge has been chased away by impeachment threats. We don’t have a government in Ondo. Even his aides don’t know where the governor is,” Adams alleged.
He added, “We are not concerned about their impeachment plans, all we seek is good governance for the people of Ondo. The people of Ondo State are suffering the consequences of their internal crisis. PDP youths protested because Akure town is very dirty and diseases are looming. Where is Aketi? Who is in charge of governance in Ondo? There is no street light. The police surrendered the PDP secretariat. The APC is doing this thing with impunity. APC is shameless. The police didn’t allow the protest.
“We want good governance. We don’t want someone to operate as if the government is his family property. Governance is not family property. Ondo State should know the true situation of his health. He should take care of himself if he is yet to recover and should allow his deputy to take over.”
The All Progressives Congress had accused the PDP of plotting violence in the state.
The State Publicity Secretary of the APC, Alex Kalejaye, said Governor Akeredolu, despite his absence, has been discharging his official duties and responsibilities without any hitch, irrespective of his location.