Ondo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party and the ruling All Progressives Congress on Tuesday bickered over the provisions of the state’s 2026 budget.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa had earlier signed the 2026 Appropriation Bill, tagged ‘Budget of Economic Consolidation’, into law following its passage by the State House of Assembly.
The budget totals ₦524,410,590,939, comprising ₦220,830,941,200 (42.11 per cent) for recurrent expenditure and ₦303,579,649,739 (57.89 per cent) for capital projects.
But the PDP, in a statement issued by its Director of Media and Public Communications, Wande Ajayi, accused the state government of prioritising the comfort of political office holders over the welfare of residents.
According to the statement, “The PDP in Ondo State has expressed deep concern and outrage over the shocking expenditure priorities contained in the Ondo State 2026 Budget, which once again exposes a government more committed to the comfort of political office holders than to the welfare of the people.
“Verified figures from the approved budget show that the Ondo State Government plans to spend a staggering ₦23.3 billion on government vehicles and transport-related items, including ₦2.1 billion earmarked for the purchase of 27 Toyota Fortuner SUVs for just 26 legislators and one clerk. This extravagant allocation stands in cruel contrast to the paltry ₦69 million provided for drugs and medical supplies for a population of over 5.3 million Ondo citizens.
“By simple arithmetic, this government has budgeted less than ₦15 per person for medicines for an entire year, in a state grappling with failing primary healthcare centres, rising maternal mortality and preventable diseases. At the same time, lawmakers’ luxury SUVs alone cost four times more than the ₦515 million allocated for educational materials and equipment across the state.”
But in a swift reaction, the APC, through its Director of Media and Publicity, Steve Otaloro, dismissed the opposition’s claims as exaggerated and misleading.
He said, “The 2026 Budget of Ondo State is a carefully structured fiscal blueprint crafted to consolidate economic stability, strengthen institutional efficiency, and guarantee the safety and effective delivery of governance to the good people of Ondo State. Contrary to the sensational claims made by the PDP, the allocations referenced reflect strategic administrative necessities rather than extravagance or elitism.
“Governance, particularly in a state with expanding infrastructural and administrative demands, requires functional mobility, operational efficiency, and adequate security provisions for public officials who discharge constitutional responsibilities across diverse and sometimes challenging terrains.
“The procurement of official vehicles is not a luxury indulgence but a pragmatic investment in ensuring that legislative and executive functions are carried out without logistical impediments, thereby enhancing service delivery to constituents across the state.
“It is both disingenuous and intellectually dishonest to isolate single line items within a comprehensive budget framework while ignoring the extensive and well-documented investments being made in healthcare, education, infrastructure, agriculture, and social welfare programmes.”
