The governorship candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, in the forthcoming off-cycle governorship election in Ondo State, Gbenga Edema, has stated that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa must explain to the people how the palliatives sent to the state by the Federal Government were shared.

Edema, who spoke through his campaign organisation, frowned at the silence of the state government over the distribution process.

According to the spokesperson of the Olugbenga Edema Campaign Organisation, Oluwatosin Ayeni, members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, were the only ones benefiting from the largesse.

Ayeni stated that all residents, irrespective of party affiliation, should be the priority of the governor, emphasising that the recent disclosure by President Bola Tinubu that over N500 billion had been disbursed to states to ameliorate the plight of the citizenry demanded an answer from Aiyedatiwa on the whereabouts of Ondo State’s share.

“With the evidence at our disposal, Governor Aiyedatiwa has allocated the rice and palliatives received from the Federal Government as exclusive benefits for members of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

“These funds and palliatives belong to the masses and are intended to alleviate the hardship caused by the All Progressives Congress-led administration in the country, not to serve the interests of a particular political party,” the statement said.

Reacting, the Information Director of Lucky Aiyedatiwa Campaign Organisation Foot Soldiers Independent Council, LACO-FSIC, Kayode Fasua, stated that the allegations lacked substance.

“It remains baseless, coming only after the governor himself assured the people of Ondo State of the equitable distribution of palliative items to cover vulnerable persons cutting across the 18 local government areas of Ondo State,” Fasua said.

Ondo NNPP candidate, Edema tackles Aiyedatiwa over distribution of palliatives