Politics has continued to tear apart 40 years relationship between Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and the immediate past Governor of the state, Olusegun Mimiko.
Both politicians have continued to trade words as the Govenorship election approaches in the state.
The relationship has gone frosty over Mimiko’s support for Akeredolu’s Deputy, Agboola Ajayi. Ajayi had abandoned Akeredolu for PDP following some irreconcilable differences.He again moved to the ZLP after losing the PDP governorship primary to Eyitayo Jegede.
He was offered the governorship ticket of ZLP immediately he joined the party. Akeredolu had since Ajayi got the ticket been throwing jabs at Mimiko.
However, Mimiko who was speaking at Ile-Oluji in Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo Local Government during the campaign tour of Agboola Ajayi described Akeredolu “as a disappointment to the people of the State.
However, Mimiko who was speaking at Ile-Oluji in Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo Local Government during the campaign tour of Agboola Ajayi described Akeredolu “as a disappointment to the people of the State.
Mimiko also described his successor’s government as anti-people because of ” the cancellation of free health and increase in tuition fees paid by tertiary institutions in the State.
The former governor who said he had worked with three governors before becoming governor for eight years said Akeredolu government has failed the people of the State in all critical sectors affecting the well-being of the people.
According to him, the government of Akeredolu’s claim to performance is nothing but falsehood as all indices showed otherwise.
“There is no person that will say he has not performed. But how do we differentiate performance?. Any government that has not democratised education is a bad government.
“This government that hiked school fee is a bad government. Akeredolu’s government is an enemy of the people. Anybody that votes Akeredolu is selling his children future.
Mimiko said the utterances of Akeredolu have clearly shown that he is not part of the state as he had vowed to go back to his base if not voted for.
“This government has not performed, he is anti-people. Any Government that fails to democratize access to Education , Health and other essentials services to the people is not a good Government.”
The former governor lamented the failure of his successor to build on the successes recorded in the health and education sectors during his tenure as Governor.
He questioned the need for the Akeredolu led administration to cancel free health services and free education in primary and secondary levels noting that any government that fails to prioritize education and health is anti-people.
But, in his response, Akeredolu described the attack of his friend as unfortunate. Akeredolu speaking through Richard Olabode Olatunde, the spokesperson of his campaign organisation describe Mimiko accusation as a kettle calling pot black.
” lt’s unfortunate that a Governor that sacked over 10,000 workers in Ondo state is calling the Akeredolu administration an anti-people government.
“It’s on record that Governor Akeredolu since inception in office has not sacked anyone in the state workforce either at the local or state level.
” Those lectures that were sacked unjustly at the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic,Owo and Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko are still alive to bear witness to the anti-people government of Mimiko in this state.
” These workers were only reinstated by Governor Akeredolu. Because of Politics, Mimiko killed the Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa (OAUSTECH).
“What’s more anti -people than the actions of Mimiko in abandoning tye various projects left behind by the late Olusegun Agagu?
