Despite the ravaging effects of the coronavirus pandemic, it has become a huge blessing in disguise for all the major contenders vying for the October 10, 2020 governorship election in Ondo State, especially the incumbent governor, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. The drive to get the people’s support and sympathy is not limited to the ruling All Progressives Party (APC), but is also a strong campaign strategy for the opposition parties, which have vowed to defeat Akeredolu.
Meanwhile, the present administration has put in place proactive measures to curtail the pandemic, as the only state in the South West yet to have a case until recently when the first and only case was recorded on Thursday. Akeredolu had shut all schools, markets, churches, social gatherings and eventually closed all the borders connecting Edo, Kogi, Delta, Ekiti, Osun and Ogun States, and set up palliative and fund-raising committees to cushion the effects.
Also, Ondo State lawmakers have kicked against their inclusion as assistants in the coronavirus Palliative Committee set up by Governor Akeredolu to cushion the effects of the pandemic on the people. They declared, without mincing words, that none of them would serve under cabinet members in the committee, saying it was disrespectful to the Assembly as an institution. In a statement made available to journalists in Akure yesterday by the House Committee Chairman on Information, Hon. Olugbenga Omole, the 26 Assembly members rejected the assignment by the governor.
Omole disclosed that some lawmakers in a particular local government were co-opted to serve as assistants to cabinet members of the Palliative Committee. He stated that the decision was to spite their offices, lamenting that they were the elected representatives of the people and would not subordinate their position to any cabinet member.
The committee chairman added, however, that in a resolution after the meeting on Monday, the lawmakers lauded Governor Akeredolu for setting up the Palliative Committee meant to bring succour to the people. According to him, the meeting was presided over by the Speaker, Bamidele Oleyelogun, where they unanimously passed a vote of confidence on the speaker, deputy speaker, majority leader and other principal officers of the
According to analysts, there are underlying motives behind the palliatives by the state government-led by Akeredolu, who is seeking re-election alongside other aspirants within APC and opposition parties. Some House of Representatives and state Assembly members, who have lost favour with their constituents, have cashed in on the COVID-19 pandemic to curry the support of their people, with some basically utilising the occasion to expand their support base.