THE Ondo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has expressed dissatisfaction over the recent appointment of Babajide, biological son of the state governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, as the Director -General of the state Performance and Project Implementation Monitoring Unit.
The appointment of Babajide was announced via a statement issued by the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Donald Ojogo, on Wednesday.
The Ondo State Governor, Akeredolu, had appointed his son, Babajide, as the Director-General, Performance and Project Implementation Monitoring Unit of the state.
The governor also nominated 14 persons for the positions of commissioners and seven special advisers.
According to the statement, the commissioner-nominees are Mrs Bamidele Olateju, Mr Adefarati Adegboyega, Fatai Olotu, Dr. Julianah Oshadahun, Dele Ologun, Mr Sunday Adekunle and Razak Obe
Others include Emmanuel Igbasan, Mrs Yetunde Adeyanju, Mr Femi Agagu, Mr Wale Akinlosotu, Mrs Lola Fagbemi, Chief Olayato Aribo and Dr. Banji Ajaka
The nominees for the positions of special advisers are Chief Victor Ategbole, Dr. Wunmi Ilawole, Mr Tobi Ogunleye, Dr. Jibayo Adeyeye, Mrs Olamide Falana, Dr Francis Faduyile and Mr Niyi Oseni
According to the statement, the names of the nominees, especially the position of commissioner, will be forwarded to the state House of Assembly for screening, clearance and confirmation.
“All nominated/appointed persons will be sworn in at a date to be announced later after the necessary legislative processes,” the statement added.
But the PDP in a statement signed by the state PDP Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kennedy Peretei, said the action of the governor amounted to abuse of office.
Peretei said, “The recent appointment of Babajide Akeredolu, a biological son of Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, (SAN), as the Director General of the PPMIU, is a flagrant abuse of office and affront on the people of Ondo State.
“The appointment as DG of PPMIU for Babajide, a young man who carries on as though he was the person voted as governor, is part of the grand design to finally empty the treasury of the state before Akeredolu returns to Ibadan.
“Only last week, Babajide was reported to have brought another consultant to take charge of forestry operations in the state. It thus appears that Mr. Governor and his immediate family are bent on living fat on the lean resources of the people, when poverty has taken over the land, walking on all four legs.
“There is no further proof of Akeredolu’s insensitivity to the plight of the people, when within two years of his tenure, he organised three lavish weddings for his children, all in foreign lands – in Mauritius, Canada and Colorado, USA.
“Each of these weddings was bankrolled with Ondo State’s funds. Officials of the state government, family members and friends were in these countries to celebrate with Akeredolu and family. Yet, this level of opulence and wasteful lifestyle only started when he became governor.”
In his reaction, the state Commissioner for Information said, “One big error in public governance is the fear of taking decisions, and it becomes unpardonably grievous when sound decisions are avoided over what I consider unresourceful criticisms.
“There is no way such a sound appointment as that of Babajide would not have elicited uncanny attacks from the PDP. They were expected.
“Ours is to be focused on what we are doing for the good people of the state and not to be distracted by lazy opposition.”
“When (Jonah) Jang appointed his son, Yakubu, as a Commissioner in Plateau State, it was okay for them; what about Ifeanyi Okowa who did it in Delta State? When their principal’s brothers in Ondo literally did all the appointments while they held sway, it was okay.”
