Diversion of Palliatives: Oyo PDP replies APC, describes Party as attention seeker – offers refresher course in governance

The leadership of the People’s Democratic Party in Oyo State has responded to the allegations of diversion of N2b palliative fund and food items donated by the federal government to the state government to mitigate the effects of the removal of fuel subsidy on the people of Oyo State.

In a statement issued in Ibadan by the Acting Publicity Secretary of the Party, Mr Ogunsina Michael, he described the APC in Oyo State as a dead party that seeks relevance by clutching onto cheap attention by toiling the path Oyo State people rejected them for in two consecutive (2019 and 2023) elections governorship elections.

According to him, “while the PDP could choose to ignore the cries of the Oyo APC as that of a baby in need of attention, we could not afford to let them mislead and misinform the good people of the State and Nigeria in general. We owe it as a duty to the people of the State to keep them abreast of the activities of the government.

“It is such a shame that APC in Oyo State would choose to attack the PDP led government in the State that has been putting measures in place to cushion the effect of removal of petroleum subsidy and its attendant effects on the people of Oyo State.

” It is highly imperative to note that the PDP led Oyo State government is deliberate about delivering a better life for all residents and citizens of Oyo State and this is exemplified by the very meticulous, careful and intentional way the Oyo State Government is going about its palliative distribution, instead of the APC to cover their faces in shame and learn from Governor Seyi Makinde maybe they can have an upgrade to their infantile knowledge about matters of governance and the state, they are busy grabbing at the last straw.”

Since the removal of the fuel subsidy, Oyo State Government has kept the people informed about the palliative measures already put in place, part of which is the expanded services of Omituntun buses to all the seven administrative zones of the State which have seen the buses conveying people from different parts of the State at a ridiculously State subsidized fare. Pensioners are already being reached out to and registered into Oyo State Health Insurance Scheme, farmers across the State are being provided with farm inputs so as to ensure food security in Oyo State

The Governor has also communicated to the people and in his address, he already made it known to the public that the State government is in receipt of N2 Billion from the Federal government and 3000 bags of rice from the Federal Government while the state government has included additional 37,000 bags of rice.

Moreso, the government will be giving out low interest loan facility to the tune of N500m to traders, artisans and other categories of people who fall into SMEs and another N500m to farmers who could not benefit from the farm inputs distribution and youths in agropreneurial.

“We implored the APC to keep its ears to the ground as from today Wednesday 30th of August as the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr Seyi Makinde will be flagging off distribution of food palliatives in Oyo town, a process that will run across the seven political zones of the state.

“We know that all of this is strange to the APC because the party is never a serious party, even when they held sway for 8(Eight) years, all they did was to share the State commonwealth amongst themselves and we also understand that the APC is not interested in the business of governance but throwing tantrums just to be seen for the fun of it.

“As a party and government that is committed to the welfare of the people, we urge the people of Oyo State to disregard the cry of the APC as a party struggling for attention and redemption.

” if the APC will not be too arrogant to accept, the People’s Democratic Party in Oyo State will be willing to offer the party a refresher course in governance and public communications.

The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade disclosed to the press that eight billion, six hundred and thirty-three million, nine hundred and ninety-six thousand, four hundred and sixty-four naira (8,633,996,464.00) was budgeted for palliatives by the Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfEr) committee in the State.

The commissioner also added that the local government areas added the sum of two billon, six hundred and thirty-six million, eight hundred and seventy-one thousand, five hundred naira (2,636,871,500) into the food palliatives while the state government also released five billion, nine hundred and ninety-seven million, one hundred and twenty-four thousand, nine hundred and sixty-four naira (5,997,124,964).