The Conscience of Progressive Change (CPC) and the Ondo Elites Assembly (OEA) have voiced strong criticism against Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State for his absence during the arrival of the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s body on Friday.
Describing the governor’s failure to be present at the airport as heartless, both groups emphasized the importance of paying respects to a former leader who served the state.
Coordinator of CPC, Remi Ogunmola, and OEA General Secretary, Chief Yemi Oladiran, conveyed their dismay through separate press releases. Ogunmola emphasized,
”It is sheer wickedness to refuse to receive the body of your former principal, a man who died while in active service to the state, and whose tenure you are completing.”
“Since the demise of Governor Akeredolu, we have continued to hear and verify various stories that initially started as rumours.
“Governor Aiyedatiwa’s refusal to receive the late Akeredolu’s body has substantiated many of these insinuations and rumours.
“What could Hon. Aiyedatiwa be doing that is so important? Was it too much to lead all members of the state executive council in receiving the body of the late governor?.
“If other state governors in the Southwest could send eminent representatives, was it too much to ask Aiyedatiwa, the direct beneficiary of Akeredolu’s death, to be present?”
On its part, the Ondo Elites Assembly said Aiyedatiwa’s actions since the demise of the late Akeredolu clearly indicate that he was only shedding crocodile tears.
The group found it even more shocking that Aiyedatiwa exclaimed ‘A ku orire’ (congratulations to us) during his inauguration, which occurred the day the late governor passed away.
“With this development, we don’t need to be told that Aiyedatiwa didn’t hold his late boss in high regard,” it said.
“Even in death, Aiyedatiwa has continued to display a lack of respect and love for the deceased. It’s a sad and unfortunate situation.”
“We are deeply concerned by the way Governor Aiyedatiwa has been handling the death of his late principal. His behavior has been apathetic and unsympathetic.
“ It is evident that this is not the appropriate way to treat someone’s benefactor.
The group added that “ it’s highly disheartening to see Akeredolu’s body moved from the airport without any insignia or sign of the state government. Akeredolu did his best for the state and the Southwest at large. He deserved better”.
| Vanguard
