The PDP in Ondo has knocked Governor Rotimi Akeredolu for travelling to Osun to commission a bridge constructed by his counterpart, Gboyega Oyetola.

In a statement on Friday, the Peoples Democratic Party described Mr Akeredolu’s visit as “embarrassing” when Akure, the Ondo capital, had no flyover bridge of its own. 

“There are several intersections in the city of Akure that can make do with flyovers. The roundabout at NEPA is always chaotic at peak hours.

“The same with Governor’s Office roundabout connecting the Federal Secretariat and Oda road with a heavy vehicular presence among several others.

“Yet, Akeredolu can travel all the way to Osogbo to celebrate what he himself is unable to do in Ondo State,” said Kennedy Peretei, a spokesman for the PDP.

In the statement obtained by Peoples Gazette, Mr Peretei said that governor Akeredolu should have honourably declined the invitation to commission the flyover.

The spokesman added that “Perhaps, the event would not have needed any mention, but for the irony and shamelessness associated with it. Even if Akeredolu was invited to the ceremony, he should have declined, if only to save himself from embarrassment.”

On Thursday, Mr Akeredolu commissioned the ‘iconic flyover’ at Olaiya Intersection in Osogbo, the Osun capital, constructed by the administration of governor Oyetola. 

Criticising the APC further, the PDP spokesman lamented that it is common knowledge that Akure is the only state capital in the southwest without a single flyover. 

Reacting, Mr Akeredolu said the PDP “was in government for eight years in this state and refused to construct even a pedestrian bridge throughout its stay in office during an era of economic boom has now suddenly realised the need for a flyover in Akure?”

In the statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, the governor said his administration had done enough, even with the construction of the Ore flyover. 

“For several years, the intersection at Ore was a nightmare, not only to the people of Ondo State but other road users plying the Lagos/Benin Expressway. Sadly, there were frequent carnages at that spot in Ore. Lives were lost. Precious times were wasted due to gridlocks. 

“To address the nasty situation, Governor Akeredolu moved and constructed a flyover, the very first in Ondo State, to save lives and promote economic activities in Ore, which is the economic hub of the state,” the Ondo governor said in the statement.