The APC condemned the NLC leader, arguing that Mr. Wabba's remarks praising Mr. Mimiko were uninformed and came at a time when workers and pensioners in the State are wallowing in abject poverty with unpaid salaries and gratuities.
The opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State condemned the national leadership of the Nigeria Labor Congress (NLC) on Monday for giving a pass mark on the administration of embattled Governor Olusegun Mimiko.
A SaharaReporters correspondent reported that during the weekend, NLC President Ayuba Wabba had praised Mr. Mimiko, saying that his government had rapidly transformed the State.
The APC condemned the NLC leader, arguing that Mr. Wabba's remarks praising Mr. Mimiko were uninformed and came at a time when workers and pensioners in the State are wallowing in abject poverty with unpaid salaries and gratuities.
"It is more worrisome that the uninformed comment of Comrade Wabba was made at a time when workers and pensioners alike are being owed over four months' salaries and allowances. The people don't need the comments of Mr. Wabba to know if Ondo State has been transformed or not. We urge our people to disregard the praises ushered on Governor Mimiko by the praise-singer," the party said in a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Omo'ba Abayomi Adesanya.
Mr. Wabba had also congratulated Mr. Mimiko on the celebration of his seven-year tenure in government and fortieth anniversary of transforming the State to a modern one.
However, the APC reminded the NLC that Mr. Mimiko’s seven years in government have been characterized by pains and "anti-masses" policies.
The party added that the forced taxation on the people of the State has led to an economic depression with no meaningful development in the critical sectors of the State.
"The seven years of Governor Mimiko have brought no tangible development into the State. Almost all roads in Akoko Land are in a state of disrepair; our Local Government Areas Headquarters have become mushrooms and reduced to mere looting centers,” the statement said.
"It is seven years of unemployment, forced tax, non-payments of workers’ salaries, total neglect of pensioners, unwarranted retrenchment, infrastructural decay, economic depression and backwardness in our dear sunshine State."
Mr. Adesanya challenged the NLC leadership to ask the Mimiko-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government why it abandoned the uncompleted projects of past administrations in the State.
"Why did he abandon all projects that the late Dr. Olusegun Agagu's administration could not complete? Projects like the Owena Water Dam, on which the Agagu administration spent billions of naira on; the Olokola Free-Trade Zone; the OK-LNG Plant; the uncompleted Akure Township Stadium at Araromi; the refinery he promised during his campaign for the second term, to mention but a few."
He said the Ondo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (OSOPADEC) put in place to cater for the needs of the Ilaje oil producing areas has nothing to show for the several billions of naira spent on it for seven years under Mr. Mimiko’s watch.
The APC further claimed that on the completion of Mr. Mimiko’s tenure, his administration would be leaving the State worse off than it was when he took office in February 2009.