Ondo Assembly, Governor Aiyedatiwa Clash Over ₦531bn Supplementary Budget

Tension is escalating in Ondo State as the House of Assembly rejects Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s ₦531 billion supplementary budget proposal. Lawmakers have questioned the rationale behind the request, describing it as excessive and ill-timed with less than two months left in the fiscal year.

The proposal, read on November 4, 2025, by the Clerk of the House, Barrister Benjamin Jayeola, seeks legislative approval to fund ongoing capital projects and cover recurrent expenses, including salaries, pensions, and new infrastructural works across the state.

Documents show that the governor is requesting ₦531,767,261,000, with ₦254,448,081,000 allocated for recurrent expenditure and ₦277,319,130,000 for capital projects, all within the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025.

The move has caused unrest among Assembly members who accused the executive of fiscal mismanagement and poor implementation of the 2025 Appropriation Law. Governor Aiyedatiwa had previously signed the ₦698.659 billion “Budget of Recovery,” with ₦433.622 billion (62.06%) earmarked for capital projects and ₦265.037 billion (37.94%) for recurrent spending. The initial ₦655.230 billion proposal was later increased by over ₦43 billion before passage into law.

During a heated session on November 4, several lawmakers criticised what they described as the administration’s “reckless spending habit,” warning that another huge budget could worsen the state’s financial strain.

One legislator, who spoke anonymously, revealed that most projects in the 2025 budget are less than 35 percent complete. He said the House session ended abruptly after a walkout led by Speaker Olamide Oladiji when members clashed over the governor’s intentions.

“We could not conclude the sitting on November 4. It became chaotic because many of us demanded explanations on how previous funds were spent. The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, is siding with the governor for political reasons, but we’ve had enough,” the lawmaker said.

Another Assembly member accused the government of intimidation and financial manipulation, claiming that legislators who refused to back the supplementary bill were threatened with political retaliation.

“The governor is using his control over our salaries as leverage. Some of us have been blackmailed through our constituents. This administration lacks transparency. The budget performance is below expectations, yet they are demanding another ₦531 billion. Nothing tangible is happening in the state,” he added.

Amid the growing standoff, sources confirmed that the proposal has been referred to the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, chaired by Hon. Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi. However, the committee’s ability to secure the two-thirds majority required for approval remains doubtful.

“Eleven members are attempting to push the budget through in a hasty session scheduled for Wednesday, but many legislators have vowed to boycott. The people of Ondo must be alert to what is unfolding,” another source said.

As of press time, neither the state government nor Speaker Oladiji had issued any response regarding the lawmakers’ objections or the governor’s justification for the proposed supplementary budget.