- Rep Makinde, Owo group defend Governor, Finance commissioner
The ruling party in Ondo State, the All progressives Congress, APC, has lashed the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP for demanding the sack of the state’s Commissioner for Finance, Mrs. Omowumi Isaac, for allegedly padding the 2025 budget.
In a statement on Monday by its state’s spokesman, Hon Kennedy Ikantu Peretei, the leading opposition party in the state had alleged that the commissioner padded the budget by about N11.98 billion, threatening to take a legal action unless Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa sacked the commissioner.
Firing back at the PDP on Tuesday, the APC in a statement by its state’s Director of Media and Publicity, Mr. Steve Otaloro, dismissed the allegation as baseless as it decribed the PDP of being ignorant of the budgeting process.
Also, a member of the House of Representatives, Hon Biola Makinde and an Owo group defended the commissioner against the allegation.
The APC said: “The All Progressives Congress, Ondo State chapter, categorically rejects the unfounded allegations made by the PDP regarding the integrity of Mrs. Omowumi Isaac, the Commissioner for Finance.
“The assertions presented by the PDP are not only misleading but also demonstrate a troubling lack of understanding of the budgetary process and the responsibilities of government officials.”
It clarified that budget preparation is handled solely by the Ministry of Budget and Planning, not the finance commissioner.
The party said,“Mrs. Isaac, as the Commissioner for Finance, plays no role in the direct formulation of budgetary allocations, and any insinuation that she has padded the 2025 budget is entirely false.”
It defended the controversial budget items, stating that the security vote and honorarium allocations were part of a broader strategy to enhance governance and public safety.
The statement added: “The details of the budget, including justifications for these allocations, are publicly available and can be reviewed by any interested party.”
Also, Makinde described Mrs. Isaac’s appointment as a testament to Aiyedatiwa’s commitment to effective governance.
He said that by choosing a skilled professional for this critical role, the Governor has sent a clear message: competence and dedication to public service are the foundation of sustainable development.
To him, in an environment where political games and partisan distractions often take center stage, this decision stands out as a beacon of rationality and purpose.
He said that while healthy political debate is essential in a vibrant democracy, unnecessary distractions can hamper the ability of our government to address pressing fiscal and developmental challenges.
Makinde said in a statement, “The current political climate—marked by partisan infighting—detracts from the critical work being done in the finance ministry.
It is imperative that all parties, including PDP, refrain from interfering in the professional duties of those entrusted with managing the state’s finances.
Allowing the Commissioner to focus solely on her work will not only improve our state’s financial
management but also set a standard for future administrations.
Why Competence Must Trump Politics
When capable officials are given the freedom to execute their roles without undue political interference, the entire state benefits.
This principle is particularly crucial in financial management, where clear-eyed decisions and expert handling of resources can pave the way for economic stability and growth.
Another sterling example of competence is Mr Governor’s recent appointment of Engr. Ayorinde Olawoye Abiola, FNSE, as the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Ondo State on Infrastructure, Lands, and Housing.
With his extensive background in civil engineering, construction, project management, and consultancy, he is armed with the necessary experience to move Ondo forward; a round peg in a round hole.
Governor Ayedatiwa’s decision is an example of leadership that values skill over spectacle—a move that should be emulated by all political actors in Ondo
State.
The focus should be on building a robust and transparent financial framework, robust infrastructural development amongst other things rather than engaging in distractions that only serve short-term political interests.
A Call for Unity and Focus.
As citizens and political stakeholders, it is our responsibility to support initiatives that aim to improve the functioning of our state government.
The current Commissioner for Finance has the expertise and the mandate to steer our finances toward a brighter future.
Let us respect this professional appointment by stepping aside from unnecessary distractions and instead, join in efforts to enhance accountability, efficiency, and progress in our state.
After all, Governor Lucky Ayedatiwa’s decision reinforces the need for meritocracy and focused governance.
Hence, It is time for all political parties and other agitating groups to acknowledge that distraction serves no one—not the people of Ondo State, not our economy, and certainly not the future we all aspire to build.
Let’s give our current and to-be appointees the room they need to work and, in doing so, contribute to a more prosperous and well-governed Ondo State.
Sincerely, this is my heart desire – Ondo need to catch up on a lot of things. We have a lot of work to do ahead: Our Oil, Seaport, airport, road infrastructure, security, free education, free health, sports, entertainment, entrepreneurship/job creation etc all are being attended to by our amiable Governor, pls let’s allow him and his team to focused. Scripture says in Ecclesiastes 3:11-12 GNT: “He has set the right time for everything. He has given us a desire to know the future, but never gives us the satisfaction of fully understanding what he does.
So I realized that all we can do is be happy and do the best we can while we are still alive.” Hence, If it’s not your turn or you’re not picked to serve, just find a second address, I beg you. Life goes on.”
Also, the Owo Reformation Initiative (ORI) has expressed support for the Governor and Commissioner for Finance for their contributions to the infrastructural, economic, and socio-political development of the state.
In a statement signed by Chief Dr. Alex Ajipe, Hon. Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi (Majority Leader), Hon. Renike Witherspoon, Hon. Tunde Owadimibola, Hon. Samuel Balogun (Chairman, Owo Local Government), Hon. Tope Omolayo (Elected Chairman, Owo LGA), Mr. Kunle Lawal Odide, and Pastor Olugbenga Olumolawa, the group commended the administration’s dedication and transparency.
The statement read, “The leadership of Owo Reformation Initiative unanimously reaffirms its unwavering confidence in the administration of His Excellency, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, commending his steadfast dedication to the infrastructural, economic, and socio-political advancement of Ondo State.”
The group praised Mrs. Isaac for her fiscal prudence, accountability, and sound economic management, which they said had positively impacted the state’s financial outlook.
The leaders denounced what they described as “malicious and insidious propaganda” aimed at discrediting the Governor and the Finance Commissioner.
“These politically orchestrated assaults are manifestations of intellectual deficiency and desperate political brinkmanship, calculated to incite disaffection and derail governance,” the statement added.
The group emphasized that the budget in question had been meticulously scrutinized and ratified by both the State Executive Council and the Ondo State House of Assembly, rendering attacks on the Commissioner for Finance baseless and misguided.
Defending the budget provision for an SUV for the Commissioner for Finance, the group noted that it was standard practice to allocate official vehicles to key ministry heads.
“Mrs. Wunmi Isaac has diligently discharged her duties using her privately procured SUV, which surpasses the specifications of the one budgeted for by the state,” they noted.
The group condemned recent efforts to misrepresent the rehabilitation of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic as a special favor to Owo, labeling such narratives as intellectually dishonest and divisive.
“It is unreasonable and unpatriotic to now attack a government that has taken steps to revive the oldest tertiary institution in the state after years of abandonment,” the statement read.
The Owo Reformation Initiative reaffirmed its commitment to the advancement of Owo and Ondo State while warning detractors against further attempts to undermine the administration’s efforts.
“Governance must be anchored on equity and developmental imperatives rather than the parochial whims of a disgruntled few.”
PDP demands sack of Ondo Finance commissioner for allegedly padding 2025 budget
