The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ondo State, has expressed concern over the 2026 budget of the state, alleging the allocation of over N25 billion for vehicles as against the N69 million provided for drugs and medical supplies.
According to the opposition party, a government that prioritises bulletproof luxury vehicles over medicines for children and learning tools for students lacks the moral right to speak about development.
With N23.3 billion budgeted on government vehicles and transport-related items, N2.1 billion was earmarked for the purchase of 27 Toyota Fortuner SUVs for just 26 legislators and one clerk.
While emphasising that the development portrayed the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, as an avenue for focusing on providing comfort for the elite instead of public service.
PDP, in a statement issued by its Director of Media and Public Communications, Wande Ajayi, urged the state government to review the allocation and redirect the funds to critical sectors.
He said, “By simple arithmetic, this government has budgeted less than N15 per person for medicines for an entire year in a state grappling with failing primary healthcare, rising maternal mortality and preventable diseases.
“At the same time, lawmakers’ luxury SUVs alone cost four times more than the N515 million allocated for educational materials and equipment across the state.
Reacting to the stance of the PDP, the Director of Media and Publicity of the ruling party in the state, Steve Otaloro said the legislators’ vehicles should not be viewed as luxury but as the necessity required to function in their capacity as lawmakers.
He said, “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.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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