PDP slams Ondo govt over planned purchase of N25bn SUVs for lawmakers

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ondo State, hasexpressed concern over the 2026 budget of the state, alleging the allocation ofover N25 billion for vehicles as against the N69 million provided for drugs andmedical supplies. According to the opposition party, a government thatprioritises bulletproof luxury vehicles over medicines for children andlearning tools for students lacks the moral right to speak about development. With N23.3 billion budgeted on government vehicles andtransport-related items, N2.1 billion was earmarked for the purchase of 27Toyota Fortuner SUVs for just 26 legislators and one clerk. While emphasising that the development portrayed the rulingAll Progressives Congress, APC, as an avenue for focusing on providing comfortfor the elite instead of public service. PDP, in a statement issued by its Director of Media andPublic Communications, Wande Ajayi, urged the state government to review theallocation and redirect the funds to critical sectors. He said, “By simple arithmetic, this government has budgetedless than N15 per person for medicines for an entire year in a state grapplingwith failing primary healthcare, rising maternal mortality and preventablediseases. “At the same time, lawmakers’ luxury SUVs alone cost fourtimes more than the N515 million allocated for educational materials andequipment across the state. Reacting to the stance of the PDP, the Director of Media andPublicity of the ruling party in the state, Steve Otaloro said the legislators’vehicles should not be viewed as luxury but as the necessity required tofunction in their capacity as lawmakers. He said, “It is both disingenuous and intellectuallydishonest to isolate single line items within a comprehensive budget frameworkwhile ignoring the extensive and well-documented investments being made inhealthcare, education, infrastructure, agriculture, and social welfareprogrammes.”

Read More