Index to Nigerian Newspapers

The Ondo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed outrage over the purchase of two bulletproof Lexus 670 LXE SUVs valued at N1.5 billion, which Governor Rotimi Akeredolu bought for himself in spite of government's inability to pay workers salaries. PDP Publicity Secretary Kennedy Peretei described the purchase as "executive recklessness and insensitivity to the plight of the people" and lamented that the governor could not buy one bag of rice for his party supporters during the Yuletide season. Festus Akingbaso, representative of Idanre Constituency in Ondo State House of Assembly, has lamented that the state government is starving the legislature of funds. He distributed 25 motorcycles, 20 deep freezers, 10 gas cookers and burners, 10 dryers, 20 sewing machines, 20 generators, 20 grinding machines and five refrigerators to his constituents, valued at over N28 million. Former state PDP Chairman, Dr. Tayo Dairo, noted that the empowerment programme was to ensure people were gainfully engaged in the private sector, as a way to reduce unemployment in the state.