The Ondo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) says the Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa-led administration’s pattern of governing the state is to loot the treasury than embarking on developmental projects.
The party stated this in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Kennedy Ikantu Peretei, in Akure on Tuesday.
Thefrontrank reports that the Ondo Ministry of Finance has budgeted the sum of N11.5 billion for security vote and N1.5 billion for contingency in 2025.
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 N698 billion earmarked for spending in the year 2025, a whooping N11.5 billion was allocated to Ministry of Finance as “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 N200 million to House of Assembly Members and N280 million to Speaker of the Ondo State Assembly, respectively as phone expenses.
“The Peoples Democratic Party (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 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, why the Gov Lucky Aiyedatiwa ‘s government has achieved nothing since its inception over a year ago? The focus is more on looting than development of the State.
“Our party calls on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (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.”
