The Ondo State chapter of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, has raised the alarm over what it described as a total collapse of governance under Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, accusing the administration of gross incompetence, executive arrogance, and deliberate centralisation of power to the detriment of the people.
In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by the State Publicity Secretary, Oyeniyi Iwakun, the party said the state was not only facing a worsening health crisis but also experiencing a disturbing stagnation across all sectors due to what it termed the governor’s failure of leadership, absence of direction, and complete disregard for institutional checks and balances.
The party condemned the governor’s refusal to swear in the 14 commissioner-designates who were screened and confirmed by the Ondo State House of Assembly more than two weeks ago, noting that the delay was not accidental but part of a deliberate scheme to centralise executive control, render ministries ineffective, and allow financial manipulations to continue without scrutiny.
It described the current state of government operations as one in limbo, where technocrats are left without guidance, official files are unattended to, and the execution of state projects has grounded to a halt, reducing governance to what it called the “whims of one man driven more by political ambition than public interest.”
The SDP expressed grave concern over the crumbling state of the health sector, warning that the people of Ondo State now face life-threatening consequences while the government remains indifferent.
It cited the announcement by the National Association of Government General and Dental Practitioners (NAGGMDP) of a planned three-day warning strike beginning Monday, July 14, as a dire indication of the deepening rot in the system.
The party pointed out that public hospitals across the state are severely under-staffed, with some operating with only one doctor per local government, while newly employed doctors since October 2024 have gone unpaid.
It added that health workers are burdened with unpaid hazard allowances, unresolved promotion arrears, and outstanding salary shortfalls, even as a sudden increase in taxation was imposed on them without dialogue, worsening the already hostile work environment.
According to the SDP, hospital facilities remain outdated, essential medical equipment is lacking, and patients continue to die from preventable conditions in a state that once held promise.
Describing the situation as more than administrative failure, the party accused the governor of criminal negligence, asserting that while citizens are left to die in under-resourced hospitals, the governor is busy engaging in what it called “political tourism, media propaganda and audio project flag-offs” that lack both contractors and tangible execution. It maintained that after more than one and a half years in office, Governor Aiyedatiwa has not delivered any major project, noting that his administration has become known for issuing press statements and conducting ceremonies with no follow-up rather than achieving measurable progress.
The party argued that the governor had substituted statesmanship with showmanship, frequently seen dancing and celebrating while the people of the state groan in pain and hardship.
The SDP cautioned that governance is not a private enterprise and warned that the resources of Ondo State must not be treated as personal assets.
It called on Governor Aiyedatiwa to immediately swear in the commissioner-designates, revive the ailing health sector by recruiting medical personnel, clearing all outstanding financial obligations to workers, reversing the new tax policy affecting health professionals, equipping public hospitals and ensuring availability of drugs.
The party also demanded a full audit and public disclosure of all revenues and expenditures since the governor assumed office and insisted that he must commence and complete people-oriented projects that go beyond media hype and campaign-style promises.
While expressing solidarity with the suffering masses, unpaid workers, and families losing loved ones to avoidable circumstances, the SDP declared that it would not remain silent in the face of what it described as betrayal and misrule. It urged residents to resist the silence being imposed by the current administration and join the demand for responsible and responsive leadership in the state.
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