- It’s “Budget Of Lootiing”, -PDP
- Trying To Discredit Us Through Smear Campain- APC
By Kolawole Ojebisi
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State have begun war of words over the state’s 2025 budget.
The 2025 appropriation Bill running to N700bn was just signed into law by Governor Lucky Ayedatiwa following its passing by the State House of Assembly
According to the breakdown of the budget, out of N698,659,496,000, a total of N265,037,496,000 was earmarked for recurrent expenditure, while N433,622,000,000 was allocated for capital expenditure.
However, the Ondo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has condemned the 2025 budget.
The opposition party described the budget as a “budget of looting” as it disclosed that the government budgeted N11.5 billion to the state ministry of finance as a ‘security vote’, while other ministries were allocated less amount, particularly Ministries of Education and Health.
This PDP’s criticism was contained in a statement issued by the Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Kennedy Peretei, on Tuesday.
The statement read, “The Ondo State 2025 Appropriation Act, signed by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa can be appropriately described as a “Budget of Looting”. Surprisingly the Governor called it a “Budget of Recovery”.
“Of the N698B earmarked for spending in the year 2025, a whooping N11.5B was allocated to the Ministry of Finance as a ‘security vote’. Not even Budget experts could explain the meaning of security vote in a Ministry, different from the one the Governor receives monthly under the same sub-head.
“There are other outrageous allocations such as N200m to House of Assembly Members and N280m to Speaker of the Ondo State Assembly, respectively, as phone expenses. The PDP Ondo State Chapter is not in any doubt that these dubious allocations are certainly not in the interest of the State as they are brazen, “the devil never cares” moves to empty the state treasury.
“There is nowhere in the world where the people’s monies are so stolen with an official stamp in this reckless manner. Critical sectors like Education and Health Care received only N77.024 billion and N46.016 billion, respectively. Is there any doubt as to why Lucky Aiyedatiwa ‘s government has achieved nothing since its inception over a year ago? The focus is more on looting than the development of the state.
The PDP called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to conduct a thorough investigation into the budget.
” We want to call on the EFCC to be thorough in their investigation of the stealing of public funds in Ondo State through the 2025 Budget. No state can make progress if those entrusted with the people’s funds are not accountable but use under-hand tactics to steal.”
However, the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress, in a statement by its Director of Media and Publicity, Mr Steve Otaloro, has denied the allegation, saying it was a misrepresentation of fact from the opposition party.
He said, ” It’s clear that the PDP’s bitterness from overwhelmingly losing the last governorship election to the APC is still festering, and they’re desperate to discredit the ruling party’s administration. The claims of “looting” and “dubious allocations” are nothing but a smear campaign.
“The Ondo State 2025 Appropriation Act, signed by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, is a well-thought-out budget designed to drive economic growth, improve infrastructure, and enhance the overall well-being of our citizens. The allocations to various ministries and agencies, including the Ministry of Finance, are transparent and in line with the state’s development priorities.”
