A representative of Ondo State on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Otito Atikase, has expressed criticism towards Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for organizing a stakeholders’ meeting of the leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Atikase deemed the meeting as factional and argued that it should have been called by the party’s chairman in the state, Ade Adetimehin, rather than Aiyedatiwa, who is also an aspirant.
Speaking to newsmen in Akure, Atikase emphasized that Adetimehin, as the party’s chairman, should have maintained neutrality and refrained from participating in the meeting to avoid further polarization within the party. While pledging support for any candidate emerging from the primaries, Atikase expressed confidence in the party’s final decision, asserting that it would be binding on all members.
Atikase also criticized Aiyedatiwa for dissolving the State Executive Council (SEC) before the primary election, suggesting that such decisions should have been postponed until after the primaries. Additionally, he highlighted his priorities, including the completion of the abandoned Ugbo-Owoye Road and Agadagba-Obon Bridge, indicating proactive steps to address neglected projects in the Niger Delta area of the state.
The NDDC commissioner emphasized a commitment to ending the trend of contractors taking mobilization fees for projects and disappearing, stating that his team had devised plans to prevent such occurrences.