By Emmanuel Oloniruha
Some indigenes of Ondo State have faulted Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa over the reappointment of Dr Taiwo Fasoranti as Secretary to the State Government (SSG), after he resigned to contest for senatorial seat in the state.
The indigenes under the auspices of Ondo Redemption Front (ORF) said this in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Friday.
The statement was jointly signed by the group’s Chairman, Dr Ologun Ayodeji; Co-Chairman, Mogbojuri Kayode; and Secretary, Adedotun Ajulo.
The group said that the decision exposed weak coordination and a lack of strategic thinking in the administration.
The civil advocacy group describing the office of the SSG as the engine room of policy coordination, said it should not be treated as a ceremonial or political position.
The group noted that after Fasoranti resigned to pursue his senatorial ambition, while the position was left vacant for months, creating what it described as an avoidable vacuum at the highest level of government.
“A serious government does not leave such a critical office unattended for months.
“A serious government understands that governance is a continuous process that cannot be suspended because one individual chooses to pursue political ambitions.
“Now that the same individual has returned to occupy the position, the public is left wondering whether the office belongs to the institution of government or has become a political holding room to be vacated and reclaimed at will,” the group said.
It stated that for several months it had raised concerns about the direction of governance in Ondo State, but recent events had reinforced what it called a cycle of indecision, and governance by reaction rather than vision.
The group also raised concerns over the Ministry of Finance, alleging that complaints about administrative bottlenecks, delayed approvals and interference in government processes were now coming from present and former aides, and supporters of the administration.
It urged the governor to investigate the allegations against the Commissioner for Finance, Mrs Omowumi Isaac, and reassure the public that government business was not being held hostage by bureaucratic obstacles.
On infrastructure, it questioned the transparency of the newly commenced Akure flyover project.
It said there was insufficient public information on the total cost, procurement process, funding arrangements and contractor selection, noting that work has already commenced without full disclosure.
The group further decried the state of roads, healthcare and education, noting that public hospitals continue to struggle with inadequate personnel and equipment.
It also noted that institutions like Rufus Giwa Polytechnic faced administrative uncertainty and infrastructure deficits.
The indigenes also expressed concern over rising insecurity, particularly kidnapping and attacks in rural communities, and said farmers and residents felt abandoned.
It demanded that the governor strengthen institutional governance to prevent critical offices from remaining vacant for political reasons, conduct an administrative review to address bottlenecks, and publish full details of the Akure flyover project.
It also called for urgent reforms in health, education and security, and for the introduction of quarterly public accountability sessions.
They stated that the warning signs were becoming impossible to ignore, adding that ”the time for excuses has passed. The time to save the soul of Ondo State is now.”
When contacted, Chief Press Secretary to the governor , Mr Ebenezer Adeniyan, described the allegations, as baseless, noting that group was a familiar critics, that address the governor daily on social media without seeking genuine answers.
He insisted that they sought attention, not solutions for Ondo people.
On appointments, he defended the governor’s right to choose his cabinet, saying questioning the SSG appointment was political, not about capacity.
He noted project details, including the Akure flyover, were already public domain, urging the group to use the Freedom of Information Act for more data.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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