Ondo govt denies submitting ₦531bn supplementary budget

By Boye Oyeyemi –

The Ondo State Government has dismissed claims by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa presented a ₦531 billion supplementary budget to the State House of Assembly for approval.

In a statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Communication and Strategy, Comrade Allen Sowore, the government described the allegation as false and mischievous, saying it was aimed at misleading the public.

Sowore clarified that what was before the House was not a supplementary budget but a revised version of the ₦698.6 billion 2025 Budget of Recovery earlier passed and signed into law by the governor.

He explained that the review became necessary because some anticipated funds from development partners had yet to materialise, prompting a recalibration to ensure a realistic revenue outlook and fairer allocation of resources across ministries and agencies.

“In essence, this exercise represents a downward adjustment, not an addition. It is a budget revision, not a supplementary appropriation,” Sowore stated, noting that the aim was to promote fiscal discipline and transparency.

He faulted the PDP for accusing the governor of illegality, stressing that presenting a revised budget to the legislature was a constitutional responsibility of the governor.

Sowore assured residents that Governor Aiyedatiwa remains committed to due process and accountability, urging opposition parties to verify facts before issuing misleading statements to the public.