By Our Correspondent
The Ondo Peoples Assembly (OPA) has strongly condemned a recent media report credited to a faction of the Ondo Redemption Front (ORF) which alleged that the healthcare system in Ondo State has collapsed under the administration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
In a statement signed by its Coordinator, Comrade Olufemi Lawson, the group described the report as misleading, politically motivated and based on questionable artificial intelligence-generated statistics that do not reflect realities on the ground in Ondo State.
OPA accused members of the ORF faction of being disconnected from current developments in the state, alleging that many of them reside outside Ondo State and have lost touch with the significant progress being recorded under the present administration.
According to the group, the publication was nothing more than an attempt by “misguided young people living far away from the state” to distort facts and undermine the achievements of Governor Aiyedatiwa.
“The report clearly demonstrates a lack of understanding of the realities in Ondo State. It is unfortunate that individuals who neither reside in the state nor regularly engage with developments on the ground would rely on artificial intelligence-generated assumptions and politically coloured narratives instead of verifiable facts,” the statement said.
The group maintained that contrary to the claims made by ORF, the Aiyedatiwa administration has continued to make substantial investments in healthcare infrastructure and service delivery across the state.
OPA highlighted the government’s approval for the rehabilitation and upgrading of more than 100 primary healthcare centres across Ondo State, particularly in rural communities where access to quality healthcare services has historically been limited.
The assembly also pointed to ongoing partnerships with development agencies and international institutions aimed at expanding healthcare facilities across the state’s 203 wards, as well as the commissioning of a modern pharmaceutical-grade medical warehouse designed to improve the storage and distribution of drugs and medical supplies.
Other achievements cited by the group include the expansion of the Orange Health Insurance Scheme, increased support for maternal and child healthcare programmes, improvements in healthcare personnel welfare, and the upgrading of hospitals and specialist medical facilities across the state.
Beyond healthcare, OPA said the administration has continued to record notable achievements in road infrastructure, education, youth empowerment, investment promotion, economic development and social welfare programmes.
The group argued that it was both inaccurate and unfair to describe a sector receiving substantial government attention and investment as being in a state of collapse.
While affirming its support for constructive criticism and democratic engagement, OPA expressed concern over what it described as the increasing use of pressure groups and pseudo-civil society organisations as vehicles for political attacks.
The assembly warned residents to be cautious of groups it said were disguising partisan interests behind the façade of non-governmental organisations.
“We welcome constructive criticism because it contributes to good governance. However, the people of Ondo State must be vigilant and resist attempts by desperate politicians masquerading as civil society organisations to spread misinformation and discredit the administration through propaganda,” Lawson stated.
The group further asserted that no amount of media attacks, manipulated statistics or politically motivated campaigns could diminish what it described as the visible developmental strides being witnessed across the state.
Reaffirming its confidence in the administration, OPA said Governor Aiyedatiwa remains committed to delivering quality governance and sustainable development for the people of Ondo State.
The assembly therefore urged citizens to continue supporting government initiatives aimed at improving living standards and accelerating development across all sectors of the state’s economy.
The statement concluded by reiterating OPA’s commitment to promoting truth, accountability and responsible public discourse while resisting attempts to mislead the public through what it termed “false and politically motivated narratives.”