Ondo: PDP Says 2026 Budget Too Elitist, Insensitive

By Ayodele Oni

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State has strongly condemned the 2026 Appropriation Law of the state, describing it as a “monument to elitism, insensitivity and misplaced priorities” which favours political office holders at the expense of ordinary citizens.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by its Director of Media and Public Communications, Wande Ajayi, the opposition party expressed outrage over what it described as shocking expenditure patterns in the approved budget, particularly huge allocations for luxury vehicles against what it called paltry provisions for healthcare and education.

The All Progressives Congress (APC), in its defence, stated that  allocations criticised by the opposition, including provisions for the procurement of official vehicles for government operations, were necessary to ensure administrative efficiency and effective discharge of constitutional responsibilities by public officials.

According to the PDP, verified figures from the 2026 budget show that the Ondo State Government plans to spend ₦23.3 billion on government vehicles and transport-related items.

This includes ₦2.1 billion earmarked for the purchase of 27 Toyota Fortuner Sports Utility Vehicles for 26 members of the House of Assembly and one clerk.

The party contrasted this with the ₦69 million allocated for drugs and medical supplies for a population estimated at over 5.3 million people.

The party argued that the figures translate to less than ₦15 per citizen for medicines for an entire year, describing the situation as alarming in a state battling weak primary healthcare systems, rising maternal mortality and preventable diseases.

It further noted that the cost of the lawmakers’ SUVs alone is about four times higher than the ₦515 million allocated for educational materials and equipment across the state.

“This is not a budgeting error; it is a statement of values,” the PDP said, adding that the allocations reveal a government that views governance as an avenue for elite comfort, rather than public service.

The party maintained that prioritising luxury and bulletproof vehicles over medicines for children and learning tools for students strips the government of any moral authority to preach development.

The PDP also faulted the timing of the budgetary choices, noting that they come amid widespread poverty, unemployment and declining social services in the state.

It accused the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration of being disconnected from the daily realities of the people while insulating political office holders in luxury.

Rejecting any attempt to downplay or justify the figures, the opposition party stressed that budgets are policy documents that reflect the true intentions of any government.

It added that the 2026 budget tells a “painful story” of misplaced priorities and governance without empathy.

The PDP called on the Ondo State Government to urgently review the budget, redirect funds to critical sectors such as healthcare and education, and adopt a more prudent and people-oriented approach to governance.

“Ondo people deserve hospitals with drugs, schools with learning materials and a government that puts citizens first, not one that measures progress by the number of luxury SUVs in lawmakers’ convoys,” the party said.

In a statement issued by the APC Director of Media and Publicity in the state, Steve Otaloro, described the budget as a strategic fiscal plan designed to strengthen governance, improve security, and drive people-oriented development across the state.

The APC dismissed criticisms by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), accusing the opposition of misrepresenting key provisions of the budget for political reasons.

The ruling party maintained that the 2026 budget was carefully structured to consolidate economic stability, enhance institutional efficiency, and improve service delivery to residents of the state.

The party argued that governance in a state with growing infrastructural and administrative demands requires adequate logistical and security support, adding that such expenditures should not be interpreted as wasteful spending.

“It is misleading to isolate specific line items in a comprehensive budget while ignoring substantial investments in healthcare, education, infrastructure, agriculture, and social welfare programmes,” the statement said.

The APC further highlighted ongoing efforts by the state government to revitalise primary healthcare centres, expand medical outreach services, upgrade healthcare facilities, recruit medical personnel, and implement public health interventions.

The party noted that healthcare development extends beyond pharmaceutical procurement to include infrastructure, human resource development, and improved service accessibility.

On education, the APC pointed to ongoing school renovation projects, teacher training programmes, digital learning initiatives, and the distribution of educational materials across various levels of the state’s education sector. The party described these initiatives as part of a long-term human capital development strategy.

The APC also stressed the need for balanced fiscal planning, noting that government spending must simultaneously address security concerns, administrative operations, social services, and economic growth.

The party said the administration remains mindful of prevailing economic challenges and has continued to implement social intervention programmes, agricultural empowerment schemes, youth development initiatives, and job creation strategies aimed at promoting inclusive growth.