The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State on Tuesday traded accusations over the state’s 2026 budget, with the opposition branding it a “monument to elitism” driven by misplaced priorities.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The PDP criticised what it described as alarming expenditure items in the approved budget, while the APC rejected the claims, accusing the opposition of twisting the facts for political gain.

In a statement signed by its Director of Media and Public Communication, Wande Ajayi, the PDP alleged that the APC-led government was placing the comfort of political office holders above the wellbeing of residents.

“This has once again exposed a government more committed to the comfort of political office holders than to the welfare of the people,” Ajayi said.

He pointed to figures in the budget, claiming the state had earmarked ₦23.3 billion for government vehicles and transport-related expenses.

“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 set aside for the purchase of 27 Toyota Fortuner SUVs for 26 legislators and one clerk,” he stated.

Ajayi also faulted allocations to the health sector, arguing they were grossly inadequate.

“By simple arithmetic, this government has budgeted less than ₦15 per person for medicines for an entire year, in a state battling 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 statewide.

“This is not a budgeting error; it is a reflection of priorities. It confirms that under the current APC administration, governance is treated as a platform for elite comfort rather than public service,” he added.

The PDP described the allocations as troubling, especially amid growing poverty and unemployment.

“At a time of widespread hardship and declining social services, it is disturbing that the government sees nothing wrong in shielding political office holders in luxury while citizens face hunger, illness and failing schools,” he said.

APC Rejects Allegations

In response, the APC’s Director of Media and Public Communication, Steve Otaloro, dismissed the PDP’s claims as misleading and politically driven.

“The allocations cited represent strategic administrative needs, not extravagance or elitism,” Otaloro said.

He argued that effective governance demands proper logistics and security arrangements for public officials.

“Governance in a state with expanding infrastructural and administrative responsibilities requires functional mobility, operational efficiency and adequate security for officials carrying out constitutional duties across varied and sometimes difficult terrains,” he explained.

Otaloro maintained that vehicle procurement should not be viewed as a luxury.

“The acquisition of official vehicles is a practical step to ensure legislative and executive duties are performed without logistical challenges, thereby improving service delivery to the people,” he added.

He accused the opposition of selectively highlighting certain budget lines to cast the administration in a bad light.

“It is misleading to single out individual items in a comprehensive budget while ignoring substantial investments in healthcare, education, infrastructure, agriculture and social welfare programmes,” he said.

According to him, the PDP’s criticism of pharmaceutical allocations overlooked broader health sector projects.

“Reducing healthcare investment to pharmaceutical procurement ignores ongoing capital projects, recruitment of personnel, facility upgrades, public health initiatives and expansion of medical infrastructure that form part of the government’s broader healthcare strategy,” he noted.

Otaloro insisted that the APC administration remains focused on tackling economic hardship through social intervention programmes, youth empowerment initiatives and employment schemes aimed at fostering inclusive growth.