The All Progressives Congress said on Sunday in Ibadan that economic challenges facing the Oyo State Government made the suspension of payment of WAEC fees and sponsorship of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia and Israel imperative.
The party made the assertion in a statement signed by its Director of Publicity in Oyo State, Olawale Sadare.
Sadare said the clarification followed the criticisms mounted by the Peoples Democratic Party and Accord Party on the State Government’s decision to suspend payment of WAEC fees and sponsorship of pilgrims.
The party chieftain said the decision as recently announced by Governor Abiola Ajimobi was part of measures aimed at reducing government’s expenditure.
Sadare recalled that Ajimobi’s administration had been paying WAEC fees for students of public secondary schools and some Muslims and Christians embarking pilgrimages.
He said: “The governor had stated that the measures were temporary as the palliatives would not only be restored soon but more people are to be added.
“The two painful decisions were taken as the last resort in view of the desire to take the state out of the current economic imbroglio as quickly as possible.”
NAN.