by Isi Esene

The Ondo state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has accused the state governor, Olusegun Mimiko of spending over a billion naira to organise his second term inauguration on Sunday.

The party spokesman, Ayo Fadaka disclosed this in Akure and wondered why Mimiko will spend such amount when his victory is still being contested at the Elections Petitions Tribunal.

He said, “We declare that given the quantum of evidences of electoral fraud that Mimiko and his party perpetrated during the October 20, election, Mimiko for now is a mere caretaker governor, whose tenure will most certainly expire at the end of the legal fireworks currently in place.

“It is equally instructive to remind our people that the fortunes of our state have continued to dwindle since he became governor and the symptoms of illogical extravagance by this governor, who managed the economy of Ondo State from credit to debit still subsists,” he added.

Fadaka reportedly noted that Mimiko’s action is more baffling giving the fact that workers in the local government sector are still being owed their January salaries. He described the alleged inauguration expenditure as a “careless attitude.”

The PDP spokesperson said, “In spite of the fact that millions of unemployed youths continue to roam the streets of our state in search of jobs and business opportunities, Dr. Mimiko still finds it convenient to spend over N1bn on a needless inaugural programme.

“He invited and hosted various dignitaries from both far and near and even the Diaspora included, the implication of this is that hundreds of millions of naira have been paid as honorarium to many who have no direct relevance or even any relevance whatsoever to the economy of the state.

“Worse still, it is also important to point out the fact that workers in the local government sector are still owed their January salary. Such is the careless attitude that dictates governance in our state these past years.”

However, Mimiko’s media handlers have described the allegations as false.

According to the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor,, Eni Akinsola, the allegations levelled against the governor are a figment of the PDP’s imagination.

He said, “It is the figment of their imagination. They are still rambling from the loss they suffered during the election; they believe that everybody is as corrupt as they are.

“The people of Ondo State voted for Mimiko and they were happy to celebrate with him,” he said.

Akinsola, who declined to give the exact amount that was spent on the inauguration, continued saying, “They are angry, and it is because the inauguration attracted prominent politicians and political office holders across party lines. They are dazed by Mimiko’s growing popularity.”