OAU Mandate Group, socio-political organisation loyal to the APC governorship candidate in Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo has criticised the crisis-wracked PDP and its governorship candidate in the state, Dino Melaye for not being in touch with reality in the state.
The group said Dino Melaye did not fail to entertain his audience with his theatrics display during his official unveiling as his party’s candidate in the November governoship election in Kogi.
In a release on Sunday, the Director of Communications of the OAU Mandate Group, Dr. Samuel Olufemi said those who listened to Dino must have been having a good laughter while he was reeling out his economic blueprint which includes the construction of akara and akamu hub as a means to generate employment for teeming Kogi graduates.
He urged the people of the state to reject PDP for their ugly past in the state and the antecedents of the party’s candidate, Dino Melaye who he said does not by any inch represent the kind of governor the state needs in 2024.
“We listened with rapt attention how Mr. Dino Melaye reeled out his blueprint on economy and how he has created a coven of poverty in his mind for the forward-looking, creative and innovative youths of our dear state. This goes to show that he is coming to reverse the gains made by the current government of His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello who has more than any other government in the state invested towards capacity building of our youths.
“For Dino to mull an akara and akamu hub as the best he can do to take our youths out of unemployment, it means he lacks knowledge of a sustainable window to engage our young people.
“Again, he talked about an 8-hour boat cruise from Lokoja to Onitsha, ostensibly to feed his callous and insensitive luxury lifestyle he is used to, a lifestyle finished from the people’s common patrimony. Where else in this world exists an 8-hour boat cruise?
“For a man who claims to have the capacity to lead a cosmopolitan state like Kogi to mull such a wasteful idea in a state where a majority of the people need adequate health care, affordable housing, accessible education and social amenities to aid their economic activities, it goes to show that he has nothing to offer the people, rather to feast on their common patrimony. We are not going back to our sad past.
“Contrary to the avalanche of falsehood he has been peddling about, no single Kogi civil servant and pensioner is owed a dime today. The administration of His Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Bello has prioritised the welfare of workers which the civil servants themselves openly attest to, even as recent as the May 1 Workers Day.
“No government has paid 13th month salary to civil servants along with their allowances and constant promotions. These are legacies the incoming and more pragmatic governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo will continue with and even make better.
“A man engrossed in ethnic divisiveness and bigotry cannot claim to represent Igala Agenda, rather APC which has not only preached but practiced inclusion represents the real Kogi Agenda”, the group stated.
It called on the people of Kogi to reject poverty-edifying blueprint of Dino and his party to embrace a more visionary and pragmatic leadership which Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo represents.