‎The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State on Tuesday engaged in a war of words over the state’s 2026 budget, with the opposition describing it as a “monument to elitism” and misplaced priorities.

‎While the PDP faulted what it termed shocking expenditure items in the approved budget, the APC dismissed the allegations as deliberate distortion of facts.

‎In a statement issued by its Director of Media and Public Communication, Wande Ajayi, the PDP accused the APC-led administration of prioritising the comfort of political office holders over the welfare of citizens.

‎“This has once again exposed a government more committed to the comfort of political office holders than to the welfare of the people,” Ajayi said.

‎He cited figures from the approved budget, alleging that the state planned to spend ₦23.3 billion on government vehicles and transport-related items.

‎“Verified figures from the approved budget show that the Ondo State government plans to spend a staggering ₦23.3 billion on government vehicles and transport-related items, including ₦2.1 billion earmarked for the purchase of 27 Toyota Fortuner SUVs for just 26 legislators and one clerk,” he stated.

‎Ajayi further criticised what he described as poor allocation to the health sector.

‎“By simple arithmetic, this government has budgeted less than ₦15 per person for medicines for an entire year, in a state grappling with failing primary healthcare centres, rising maternal mortality and preventable diseases.

‎“At the same time, lawmakers’ luxury SUVs alone cost four times more 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. It confirms that under the current APC administration, governance is viewed as an avenue for elite comfort rather than public service,” he added.

‎The PDP spokesperson described the allocations as disturbing, particularly amid rising poverty and unemployment.

‎“The PDP finds it disturbing that at a time of widespread poverty, unemployment and declining social services, the Ondo State government sees nothing wrong in insulating political office holders in luxury while ordinary citizens are left exposed to hunger, disease and educational decay,” he said.

‎APC Dismisses Claims As Misleading

‎Responding, the APC Director of Media and Public Communication, Mr Steve Otaloro, described the PDP’s position as politically motivated and misleading.

‎“The allocations referenced reflect strategic administrative necessities rather than extravagance or elitism,” Otaloro said.

‎According to him, effective governance requires adequate logistics and security support for public officials.

‎“Governance, particularly in a state with expanding infrastructural and administrative demands, requires functional mobility, operational efficiency, and adequate security provisions for public officials who discharge constitutional responsibilities across diverse and sometimes challenging terrains,” he stated.

‎Otaloro insisted that the procurement of vehicles should not be misconstrued.

‎“The procurement of official vehicles is not a luxury indulgence but a pragmatic investment in ensuring that legislative and executive functions are carried out without logistical impediments, thereby enhancing service delivery to constituents across the state,” he added.

‎He accused the opposition of isolating specific budget lines to paint a negative picture of the administration.

‎“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,” Otaloro said.

‎He further argued that the PDP’s focus on pharmaceutical allocations ignored broader healthcare investments.

‎“The opposition’s attempt to reduce healthcare investment to a narrow interpretation of pharmaceutical procurement grossly ignores ongoing capital healthcare projects, personnel recruitment, facility upgrades, public health interventions, and medical infrastructure expansion that collectively constitute the government’s holistic healthcare delivery strategy,” he said.

‎Otaloro maintained that the APC administration remained committed to addressing citizens’ economic challenges through social intervention programmes, youth empowerment schemes and employment initiatives aimed at promoting inclusive growth.