The Ondo State Government has denied allegations that the convoy of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa was responsible for the tragic death of a young citizen, Goodness Emiju, in Oka Akoko.
The clarification follows a press statement issued by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ondo State Chapter, which claimed that the governor’s convoy knocked down the boy on Monday, while returning from a “Thank-you tour.”
According to a statement released by Allen Sowore, Special Adviser to the governor on Communication and Strategy, the governor’s convoy was neither involved in nor responsible for any accident on that day or any other day since the tour began.
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The state government provided a different account of the unfortunate event.
The accident involved a police operational vehicle attached to the Officer-in-Charge (O.C.) Scorpion.
The police vehicle was on a separate assignment at the time of the incident and was not part of the governor’s motorcade.
The police officers involved immediately transported the victim to the General Hospital in Oka Akoko, from where he was transferred to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Owo.
Despite the clarification, Aiyedatiwa expressed his deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to the parents of the deceased, Emiju Abiodun and Emiju Omotayo.
The government noted that officials of the Nigeria Police Force are already in communication with the family following the boy’s passing.
The governor’s office criticised the PDP’s Director of Media and Public Communications, Wándé Àjàyí, for circulating what it termed “mischievous and sensational” falsehoods.“
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They advised PDP to verify its facts before rushing to issue incorrect press statements capable of causing unnecessary tension and apprehension in the state.
They further described the opposition’s actions as “irresponsible” and “antithetical to good governance.”
