…the Labour Party rejected the explanation, describing the purchase as a waste of public funds
OGUN, NIGERIA- The iNews Times | The Ogun State chapter of the Labour Party has criticised Governor Dapo Abiodun over the recent purchase of Sports Utility Vehicles for the 20 local government chairmen, describing the action as insensitive, ill-timed and a clear case of misplaced priority.
The party’s state chairman, Oluwabukola Soyoye, said the decision showed poor judgment at a time when residents are battling deteriorating roads, rising living costs and inadequate basic amenities across the state.
In a statement on Friday, Soyoye lamented that many roads linking rural and urban areas remain in bad condition, while public hospitals, schools and markets continue to suffer neglect.
She was reacting to the presentation on Thursday of Toyota Corolla Cross 2025 SUVs to the 20 council chairmen in Abeokuta, an event that coincided with Christmas celebrations. The chairmen had expressed appreciation to the governor, who said the vehicles were meant to enhance grassroots governance.
Speaking through the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat, Abiodun said the SUVs would ease the operations of local government chairmen and help spread the dividends of democracy at the grassroots.
However, the Labour Party rejected the explanation, describing the purchase as a waste of public funds. Soyoye argued that the money would have been better spent on critical needs such as road rehabilitation, potable water and poverty alleviation.
She accused the state government of placing the comfort of political office holders above the welfare of ordinary citizens and urged the administration to reconsider the decision and channel resources into people-centred projects.
Soyoye also called on residents to hold their leaders accountable, adding that governance should prioritise transparency and public interest, while expressing confidence that the Labour Party would offer better leadership in 2027.
