Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has described the N11.5 billion allocated to the state’s Ministry of Finance as a security vote and the N250 million sitting allowance in the 2025 budget as “a normal tradition.”
Aiyedatiwa, while justifying the decision, said that such allocations were made during the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led administration in the state.
The governor, who spoke through his Senior Special Assistant on Strategic Communication, Allen Sowore, argued that the sitting allowance for the ministry would take care of sittings in the ministry during the fiscal year.
The clarification was in response to PDP’s statement condemning the governor’s continued silence over the alleged padding of the 2025 budget.
The governor said: “It is, therefore, hypocritical and deceptive for PDP members, who established these budgetary practices, to now turn around and criticise the current government.
“It has been a longstanding budgetary tradition in Ondo State to domicile contingency funds, security votes, committee and commission expenses, and honorariums under the Ministry of Finance. A review of budgets from 2007 to 2013 when the PDP was in power shows that the same method was used.
“The budget is merely an estimate. The government is bound by the state’s procurement laws and will not purchase a vehicle above its market value. Since no vehicle has been purchased yet, dwelling on estimated figures is unnecessary.”
Meanwhile, there has been an outcry in the state over the development, with residents fuming that the governor was trying to justify illegalities with his stance on the budget.
According to Wande Ajayi, “you claim it is a long-standing budgetary tradition” to allocate security votes for the Ministry of Finance. Fascinating! Yet, tradition doesn’t equate to propriety. The EFCC seems to agree, as they’re currently investigating this very allocation.
Perhaps, it’s time to revisit these “traditions” that raise red flags.”
On his part, Damilola Oladele stated: “Every time, there is a long note on defence. What is the governor doing differently?
