The Ondo State chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Isaac Kekemeke, accused Governor Olusegun Mimiko, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), of failing to account for more than N1 trillion over the past six years.
Mr. Kekemeke made the accusation during a seminar organized by the women’s wing of the APC which was held in Akure, the capital of Ondo State.
Mr. Kekemeke also accused Governor Mimiko of impoverishing the people of Ondo State through the imposition of burdensome taxes, primarily upon the State’s poorest residents. These taxes were intended to recoup the loss of embezzled funds. The result, according to Mr. Kekemeke, is “we [Ondo State] now have a government that is creating poverty and taxing poverty.”
Mr. Kekemeke also disclosed that the APC has mapped out a clear strategy to win next year’s gubernatorial elections. He added that the embattled status of Governor Mimiko will help the APC’s cause.
Mr. Kekemeke expressed confidence that “the people of the Ondo State are waiting for us to take over the government and our party shall remain focused and steadfast to carry out our mission.”
He attributed APC losses in the House of Assembly elections to a leak of APC campaign strategy, and accused the PDP of “buying” votes.
He concluded by stating that the APC would hold free and fair primary elections for its candidate in the Ondo State governorship race. He stressed the need to avoid “anointing” any candidate, and to avoid “imposing” Party will upon the people.