…..PDP allegation only Mischievous —Govt.
On 10 February 2026, the Director of Media and Public Communications of the Ondo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Wándé T. Àjàyí, issued a press statement in which he portrayed the Ondo State Government’s ₦23.3 billion budgetary provision for operational, heavy-duty and agricultural vehicles, as well as other transport-related assets in the 2026 budget, as wasteful and needless.
The ruling APC and the Ondo state Government immediately countered the opposition party. Details below;
AIYEDATIWA ALLOCATES ₦15 EACH FOR CITIZEN HEALTCARE, Says PDP
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State has criticised the 2026 Appropriation Law of the state, accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) administration of prioritising the comfort of political office holders over the welfare of citizens.
In a statement issued in Akure on Tuesday by the party’s Director of Media and Public Communications, Wándé T. Àjàyí, the PDP described the budget as elitist and insensitive, citing what it called disturbing allocations to luxury vehicles amid poor funding for healthcare and education.
According to the party, the approved 2026 budget earmarked a total of ₦23.3 billion for government vehicles and transport-related items, including ₦2.1 billion for the purchase of 27 Toyota Fortuner SUVs for 26 members of the Ondo State House of Assembly and one clerk.
The PDP expressed concern that the same budget allocated just ₦69 million for drugs and medical supplies for a population of over 5.3 million people in the state.
The party noted that the allocation translates to less than ₦15 per citizen for medicines for the entire year, describing it as alarming at a time when public hospitals across the state are struggling with shortages of essential drugs.
It further pointed out that the education sector received ₦515 million for educational materials and equipment, an amount it said was far below what was budgeted for lawmakers’ vehicles alone.
“The figures are clear and contained in the approved budget. This is not a budgeting oversight but a reflection of misplaced priorities,” the PDP said.
The opposition party argued that a government that allocates billions of naira to luxury SUVs while underfunding healthcare and education has failed in its basic responsibility to the people.
The PDP called on the Ondo State Government to urgently review the budget and redirect funds to critical sectors, particularly healthcare and education, to address the pressing needs of citizens.
It reaffirmed its commitment to holding the government accountable and advocating for policies that place the welfare of the people of Ondo State above the comfort of political elites.
PRESS RELEASE
APC REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO RESPONSIBLE GOVERNANCE, STRATEGIC SECURITY, AND PEOPLE-CENTRED DEVELOPMENT IN ONDO STATE
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State has taken note of the recent press statement issued by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) concerning the 2026 Ondo State Budget. While opposition parties reserve the democratic right to critique government policies, it is imperative to correct deliberate misrepresentations, contextual distortions, and politically motivated narratives designed to mislead the public.
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.
The APC-led administration has consistently demonstrated measurable commitment to revitalising primary healthcare centres, expanding medical outreach programmes, upgrading educational facilities, and implementing sustainable development projects that directly impact citizens’ welfare.
Furthermore, the opposition’s attempt to reduce healthcare investment to a narrow interpretation of pharmaceutical procurement grossly ignores ongoing capital healthcare projects, personnel recruitment, facility upgrades, public health interventions, and medical infrastructure expansion that collectively constitute the government’s holistic healthcare delivery strategy. Effective healthcare systems extend far beyond drug purchases and must be evaluated within the broader spectrum of infrastructure, human capital development, and service accessibility.
The Ondo State Government under the APC has equally sustained significant investments in education through school renovation projects, teacher capacity development programmes, digital learning initiatives, and the provision of educational support materials across various levels. These initiatives reflect a deliberate and long-term commitment to human capital development rather than short-term populist expenditure.
It is important to remind the public that governance demands balanced fiscal planning that simultaneously addresses security, administrative functionality, social services, and economic growth. Attempts to portray legitimate operational expenditures as moral failings represent political theatrics rather than constructive policy engagement.
The APC administration remains deeply sensitive to the economic realities faced by citizens and continues to implement targeted social intervention programmes, agricultural empowerment schemes, youth development initiatives, and employment creation strategies designed to cushion economic challenges and stimulate inclusive growth.
Ondo State has witnessed remarkable progress in infrastructure expansion, rural development, investment attraction, and public sector reforms under APC leadership. These achievements are products of deliberate, strategic, and accountable governance- not the reckless fiscal indiscipline that characterised previous administrations of the opposition.
While the APC welcomes constructive criticism that advances public interest, we reject fear-mongering narratives and exaggerated distortions aimed at undermining public confidence in government institutions. The 2026 Budget remains a progressive financial roadmap designed to sustain development momentum and improve the quality of life for all residents of Ondo State.
The APC assures the people of Ondo State that this administration remains firmly committed to transparency, accountability, prudent resource management, and people-oriented governance. We encourage citizens to continue to support policies and programmes that guarantee long-term prosperity and sustainable development across the state.
Signed:
Steve Otaloro
Director, Media & Publicity
All Progressives Congress (APC) Ondo State
ONDO STATE PDP AND THE MISCHIEF OF ₦23.3 Billion IN 2026 BUDGETARY PROVISIONS FOR GOVERNMENT VEHICLES
By: Allen Sowore
On 10 February 2026, the Director of Media and Public Communications of the Ondo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Wándé T. Àjàyí, issued a press statement in which he mischievously and misleadingly portrayed the Ondo State Government’s ₦23.3 billion budgetary provision for operational, heavy-duty and agricultural vehicles, as well as other transport-related assets in the 2026 budget, as wasteful and needless.
The PDP further alleged—falsely—that only ₦69 million was allocated for drugs and medical supplies for the entire population of Ondo State in the 2026 fiscal year, going as far as suggesting that the state government budgeted less than ₦15 per citizen annually for medicines.
As a responsive and responsible government, it is necessary to address these claims seriatim for the benefit of the good people of Ondo State.
The facts are clear. On Monday, 29 December 2025, Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa signed the 2026 Appropriation Bill—christened the “Budget of Economic Consolidation”—into law.
The 2026 budget, totalling ₦524,410,590,939, comprises recurrent expenditure of ₦220,830,941,200 (42.11%) and capital expenditure of ₦303,579,649,739 (57.89%), reflecting the administration’s clear emphasis on infrastructure, service delivery and economic growth.
Contrary to the deliberately misleading impression created by the PDP, sectoral analysis of the budget shows that a total sum of ₦59,542,160,000.00 has been allocated to the health sector, representing 11.40% of the total budget.
Specifically, the State Drugs and Commodity Management Agency—responsible for the procurement, storage and distribution of essential drugs across the state—has a budgetary provision of not less than ₦400 million for this purpose alone.
In addition, the Ondo State Government operates a comprehensive health insurance programme known as the Orange Health Insurance Scheme (ORANGHIS), which provides coverage for residents across both the formal and informal sectors.
ORANGHIS covers medical, surgical, paediatric, obstetrics and gynaecology, dental, eye care and selected rehabilitative services at both primary and referral levels of care.
Under the Formal Sector plan, enrollees enjoy an automatic family package comprising one principal enrollee, one spouse and up to four biological children below the age of 18. Unmarried enrollees may seamlessly add statutory dependants upon marriage. Enrollees also retain the freedom to choose their preferred healthcare providers from a pool of accredited public and private facilities across the state.
With respect to the ₦23.3 billion provision for official, heavy-duty, agricultural and other transport-related assets, it must be clearly stated that this allocation covers all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). It includes refurbishment and repairs of existing vehicles, as well as the acquisition of new operational vehicles essential for the efficient and seamless running of government across the state.
From this allocation, ₦4.5 billion is earmarked for the procurement of 120 waste skips and six waste disposal trucks to enhance environmental sanitation and ensure a cleaner Ondo State.
Similarly, approximately ₦1.79 billion has been budgeted for the procurement of ambulances for health institutions across the state. In addition, ₦300 million is allocated for the purchase of 25-ton tow trucks for the Ore Transport Hub and other strategic locations within the state.
It is also noteworthy that since the assumption of office by the Governor Aiyedatiwa-led administration, members of the Ondo State House of Assembly have not been provided with official vehicles. Consequently, budgetary provision has been made for the purchase of 27 utility vehicles for the 26 Honourable Members and the Clerk of the 10th Assembly, at a proposed and reasonable cost.
Furthermore, in line with the administration’s commitment to the prudent management of scarce state resources, provision has been made for the purchase of Toyota Corolla vehicles for Chief Registrars and Magistrates across the state, at a total cost of ₦750 million.
For the avoidance of doubt, the ₦23.3 billion provision also covers tractors for agricultural purposes, tow trucks and high-capacity drilling rigs for rural water supply—critical infrastructure investments conveniently omitted from the PDP’s narrative.
Similarly, the education sector, which the PDP lamentably claimed received only ₦515 million, actually has a budgetary allocation of ₦64.5 billion, representing approximately 12.3% of the total budget.
Once again, the Peoples Democratic Party in Ondo State has demonstrated a penchant for misinformation, either through gross misunderstanding or deliberate distortion of facts. The role of opposition in a democracy is objective and constructive criticism—not calculated mischief and rabid falsehoods aimed at misleading the public.
The good people of Ondo State are therefore advised to disregard these spurious claims and remain assured of the Aiyedatiwa administration’s unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability and responsible governance.
Allen Sowore, Esq.
Special Adviser to the Governor
(Communication & Strategy)
10 February 2026
