The Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu has been condemned by residents of the state for throwing money at people in a marketplace, in a bid to buy their votes ahead of the forthcoming governorship election on October 10.
The governor had while returning from a campaign stopped his convoy at the popular Oja-Oba Market in the state capital, Akure and began throwing money at the masses. In the video, people were seen scampering to pick money from the floor.
Some residents of the state have criticized the governor for his action and described it as wasteful and wrong.
A private school teacher, Mr Tope Ibikunle, said,
“I saw him at Oja Oba Market throwing money at people. The attitude he displayed showed that it is the way they want to use money to buy votes on the day of the election but I know our people are wiser.
“This is what Akeredolu has turned Ondo State people to. This attitude is shameless and it has also shown that this is how he had been wasting our money in government.
“How could a sitting governor be throwing money openly in a public place? This is the money he is supposed to use in building hospitals and schools but he is busy wasting it and heavily taxing people.”
Another resident, Mrs Funmi Adegbenro, said the attitude of the governor should be condemned by Nigerians.
She said,
“This is a total disgrace. How can a governor be throwing money like this publicly? He just wants to woo voters in the state by every means. This is not the best strategy.
“Can somebody tell Akeredolu that the election is not won like this and I’m surprised that he is a lawyer who should know better, you can just imagine how they are wasting our money.”
Femi Omisule, a student of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, expressed his disappointment in the governor.
He said,
“Watching Akeredolu throwing money publicly reminds me of how some of my friends had to drop out of school as a result of the hike in our tuition all because there was no money.
“This is the same governor that increased our school fees and claimed Ondo had to generate more funds. So, we can all see how he is spending our money. It is sad and I know my friends won’t forgive him watching this video. Our people must shine their eyes in this election.”
However another resident, Ayokunle Omodugba, commended the actions of the governor, stating that he doesn’t see anything wrong in him throwing money to people in public.
He said,
“I see no crime here. At least, the governor threw the money to the people on the street and they are Ondo residents.
“The governor out of excitement threw money to traders and they were also happy to see him throwing money at them.
“If people are saying he is wasting our money, at least he is throwing the money to residents. So, it is still our money and I don’t see any sin with his attitude.”
The public opinion was gathered by Sahara Reporters.
