Governor Dapo Abiodun
Governor Dapo Abiodun has been lambasted by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State for distributing cookies, noodles and other food items to victims of the recent herdsmen attacks in Yewa axis of the State.
Many were said to have been killed and others injured, with houses destroyed during the attacks on communities in Yewa axis of Ogun.
A committee set up by Governor Abiodun had visited the troubled areas to distribute palliatives to residents affected by the incident.
But, the PDP in a statement made available to DAILY POST in Abeokuta on Monday, described the gesture as disgusting and appalling.
The party, according to its Ogun Publicity Secretary, Akinloye Bankole, said it was lack of capacity or idea for the government to have resorted to sharing of palliative to direct victims who have either lost loved ones, houses, farmlands and other means of livelihood.
“For us, it is crystal clear that the ruling APC government is just an empty barrel. It is bereft of any creative ideas of containing the heinous activities of the Fulani herdsmen terrorising the state. This is evident in the last week’s distribution of packs of few food items in affected communities around Oja Odan, Egua, Imala, etc. What a begging shame!
“It is very disgusting, very appalling and it points to total lack of capacity for a government to resort to sharing of palliative to direct victims who have either lost their loved ones, houses, farmlands and several other legitimate means of livelihood to the government- pampered gang of criminals.
“How many boxes of noodles or bags of rice and cookies would sooth or console those who already lost their loved ones? How does this government hope to assist in providing succour to the children and relatives of the young couple and several others who were slaughtered in Yewa North, Imeko and other places recently?” the PDP said.
Bankole expressed sadness with what he called “the deteriorating and unchecked spate of killings and wanton destruction of properties of innocent members of the public in Ogun State.”
He maintained that the realities of banditry and kidnappings by suspected Fulani herdsmen across the length and breadth of the State had always been a source of worry to the general public.
“As a matter of fact, Ogun State PDP is shocked beyond words to see how terribly ineffectual the ruling APC government has completely become in the face of banditry against the same people the government swore to protect.
“Is it not terrifying to know that despite government’s promise of a Joint Security Task Force to provide security in the affected communities, just few days ago, the deadly monsters still kidnapped two petty traders by some around Olorunda in Abeokuta North LG and a ransome of 5million naira is being demanded on each before they could be released.
“This happened less than 24 hours after the government shared palliatives in Yewa North LG. Where is the Joint Security Task Force the government promised?” he enquired.
The PDP stated that it was most unfortunate that the APC government was deeply in a trance as far security of lives and property is concerned, saying “these are pointers to a successfully failed government.”
The statement read further that, “It is most shameful of a government whose body language openly massages the ego of a spineless cabal just because our governor prefers to be seen as a “good boy” by the General Muhamadu Buhari’s presidency.
“From available facts, the only thing left for the ruling government is use of deceit as a deliberate policy of government to hoodwink and further blackmail the public into believing that all is well, thereby concealing its monumental failures from innocent members of the public.
“As a responsible opposition party, PDP is ever ready to take on the failing government constructively by proffering practicable solutions. First, we have always recommended an outright ban of open grazing across the state. This can be achieved through enactment of legislation by the State House of Assembly.
“Apart from this, we have also suggested that the government should encourage ranching. This is a modern way rearing cattles where nobody threatens another persons’ business. This is a permanent solution to Herdsmen/Farmers crises. There are several livestock farmers around us but the government, in its own garment of cluelessness, prefers to share boxes of noodles and cookies as palliatives to the victims of its insensitivity. What a tragedy!
“For us as a party, PDP is prepared to continue to mobilize, educate and sensitize members of the public against all calculated deceits of the failing APC government in Ogun State. We shall not rest until the well-being of public gets paramount attention from the government.”
