0
0
ONDO STATE PDP AND THE MISCHIEF OF ₦23.3 BILLION 2026 BUDGETARY PROVISIONS FOR GOVERNMENT VEHICLES
By Allen Sowore, Esq
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
About The Author
