In the lead-up to the November 16 governorship election in Ondo State, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have exchanged sharp criticisms regarding the recent release of N3.5 billion for the renovation of public schools.
Kennedy Peretei, the state Publicity Secretary of the PDP, has labeled the funding announcement, made six weeks before the election, as a “Greek gift” aimed at enticing voters to support the ruling APC government. He cautioned the residents of Ondo State to remain vigilant against what he describes as deceptive tactics by the APC.
Peretei expressed skepticism about the timing of the fund’s release, questioning why the state government, which he claims has been inactive during the school holiday, chose to announce it after schools resumed for the new academic session. He remarked, “The Greek gift from the state government is designed to subject the people of the state to further poverty,” urging the populace to elect candidates who genuinely prioritize their interests and address pressing challenges.
He highlighted the failure of the state government to tackle the issue of out-of-school children, noting that approximately 240,000 children are currently not attending school in the state. He further suggested that this number could rise to 250,000 due to recent economic policies implemented by both the APC at the federal and state levels.
Peretei pointed out that prior to the resumption of schools on September 17, 2024, the Ondo State government had nearly two months to carry out any necessary renovations. He criticized the government for delaying the announcement until after schools had reopened, labeling it as yet another unfulfilled campaign promise.
He added, “I do not have the figures of students from state-owned tertiary institutions who dropped out when the APC government increased tuition fees beyond the reach of common citizens in the state.”
