The AAC governorship candidate alleged that there has been bad governance under the leadership of Governor Aiyedatiwa.
Ondo State's African Action Congress (AAC) governorship candidate, Kunle 'Wizeman' Ajayi, has denounced the state government's attempts to suppress protests.
In a statement signed by him on Tuesday, he accused the Ondo state governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of preempting violence during the #EndBadGovernance protest and intimidating people.
He said, “Just as we warned beforehand, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa met again with his supporters in one small boardroom at Alagbaka alongside heads of security agencies. He made lying statements that EndSARS was violent and those protesting to #EndBadGovernance are planning to foment violence and he will stop any protest.”
Ajayi accused the governor of not being grateful, stating that mass movements brought him into power.
He said, “Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa is an ingrate. He should not be the element mobilizing against protests. He could not even face the oppressions from the Akeredolu family even when the late Governor was already incapacitated.
“It was protesters led by Omoyele Sowore, the global Convener of the Take-It-Back Movement that freed the state from the shackles of the Akeredolu family.
“Lucky Aiyedatiwa could not have become Ondo Governor if not for protests. I recall that even after Aiyedatiwa was sworn in, he had to adorn a red beret trying to imitate #RevolutionNow Comrades. But you cannot give what you do not have.”
The governor is also alleged to have paid millions to security operatives for show of force towards the planned protest against bad governance.
Ajayi further alleged that people are being dissuaded from protesting against bad governance.
He said, “Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who could not even provide palliatives to Ondo State people, has now paid hundreds of millions to the military for ‘show of force’.
“They are roaming the streets from Akure to Okitipupa, warning Ondo State people from protests. Alas, Ondo people can never be intimidated by anybody.”
Ajayi urged security agencies to protect the people and not the will of the state governor, noting that the core mandate of security operatives is to the people and not the government.
He said, “This is why there is no "Jagaban" here. Our youths and working people will be out massively on August 1st. We want to inform the security agencies from the police to military that they are employees of Ondo State people, not the governor.
“Their duty as enshrined in the constitution is to secure and protect protesters, not intimidating nor attacking them.”
The AAC governorship candidate alleged that there has been bad governance under the leadership of Governor Aiyedatiwa.
Ajayi said, “We also want to reiterate that bad governance is affecting every Ondo State people. Even when Aiyedatiwa became governor on the back of the people's agitations, he has been biting the hands of the people thus far. Workers are still being owed, Education is still as expensive, and healthcare remains a jeopardy.
“Same Aiyedatiwa never returned nor has taken any steps to return the stolen Oluwa Forest Reserves, neither was he interested in Local Government Autonomy not to talk of redistributing wealth. His lack of modesty, is why, just about five days to the #EndBadGovernance nationwide protests, Governor Aiyedatiwa freshly appointed thirty (30) aides!”
He opined that squandering state resources is the trademark of the state government.