The Ondo State representative on the Board of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Hon. Otito Atikase, has expressed concern over the exclusion of critical stakeholders from the meeting of stakeholders of All Progressives Congress (APC) called by Governor Lucky Ayedatiwa.
Atikase, who stated this during an interview with newsmen in Akure, the state capital, said the stakeholders meeting conveyed at the instance of Governor Ayedatiwa was a factional gathering and the outcome will further polarise the party in the state.
Faulting the stakeholders meeting, he noted that the exclusion of some notable and critical members of the party was a deliberate attempt to exacerbate the ongoing crisis within the party.
According to him, none of the aspirants contesting for the ticket of the party present at the meeting called by Ayedatiwa, saying “the meeting was factional, because he (Governor)was an aspirant who should have allowed the party chairman to call such a meeting”
He said the APC Chairman, Engr Ade Adetimehin, should have abstained from such a meeting, as he remains the only officer of the party who can call such a meeting.
He advised Adetimehin to be neutral in the forthcoming gubernatorial primary of the party, urging the party to give a level playing group for all the aspirants eyeing the party’s ticket.
Atikase said this might further aggravate existing divisions within the party, saying “refrain from endorsing any gubernatorial aspirant”
The NDDC board member expressed confidence that all the aspirants will abide by the outcome of the primary election once it is transparent and the party’s final decision, once a unifying candidate emerges at the end of the day.
He said the decision of the party is binding on all its members and should be taken as final, saying that he had no prefered candidate and would be willing to work with any candidate that emerges on the platform of the party.
Speaking on the dissolution of the State Executive Council, Atikase said Ayedatiwa should have waited until after the primary election.
Regarding the recent certificate forgery saga against the governor, he called on the governor to be transparent, emphasizing the need for the governor to dispel any misinformation that could be exploited by his political opponents.
Meanwhile, Atikase has promised to give priority to rescucitation of all the abandoned projects by tyr NDDC in the coastal communities and mandate areas of the state
He said the long abandoned Ugbo-Owoye road and Agadagba- Obon bridge were part of his top priorities, disclosing that proactive steps hqve been taken towards actualisation of abandoned projects in the Niger Delta area of the State.
He expressed worry over the spate of abandoned NDDC projects in the state and assured that contractors will not go away with contract fund, saying such development will not be tolerated.
He pointed out that the Ugbo-Owoye road, which is the strategic link between Ondo and Delta States, when completed would bring rapid economic growth and foster development in the Ilaje communities.
Atikase said the Agadagba- Obon bridge which is the link between the Ijaws of Ondo state and other parts of the state if completed would also boost economic activities in that area.
Atikase said, “we shall explore possible synergies towards the actualisation of these and other projects”.
The Ondo State Representatives also said that the avalanche of abandoned projects in the state would be completed as arrangements were already in place in order to ensure that all Contractors move back to site.