By Oluwole Precious
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on Monday presented a N492.8bn budget proposal for the 2026 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly, even as the parliament battles an internal crisis over an alleged plot to impeach the Speaker, Olamide Oladiji.
The appropriation bill, tagged “Budget of Economic Consolidation,” was laid before the lawmakers at a time 12 members of the Assembly recently passed a vote of no confidence in the Speaker. The aggrieved legislators had accused Oladiji of diverting N50m meant for a public hearing and mismanaging monthly operational funds.
Oladiji, however, dismissed the allegations, describing the reported impeachment move as a “misplaced priority,” insisting that the Assembly remained focused on its legislative responsibilities, including the amendment of the re-ordered 2025 Appropriation Act.
Presenting the 2026 spending plan, Aiyedatiwa said the budget prioritises people-driven projects and programmes and is designed to consolidate the gains recorded under the state’s 2025 recovery agenda.
He announced a capital expenditure estimate of N281.99bn and a recurrent expenditure of N210.80bn.
According to him, the top sectoral allocations include infrastructure, which received N131.99bn (26.8%); public finance, N89.6bn (18.2%); health, N69.64bn (14.1%); and education, N63.87bn (13%).
Aiyedatiwa said the fiscal plan signals the state’s transition from “restoration to long-term consolidation,” noting that the government had recorded measurable progress in 2025 despite revenue constraints.
He explained that the recurrent-to-capital ratio of 42.78% to 57.22% underscores his administration’s commitment to transforming the state’s socio-economic outlook.
“From the allocation above, Mr Speaker, our intention on the infrastructure revolution is clear.
We look forward to completing the plethora of ongoing projects across the state. No project in Ondo State will be left abandoned,” the governor said.
He urged the Assembly to expedite consideration of the bill, assuring that his administration would ensure its timely and efficient implementation.
In his remarks, Speaker Oladiji praised the governor for presenting the budget early, describing Aiyedatiwa as a leader with exceptional administrative qualities.
He also thanked the governor for intervening in the Assembly crisis, saying the lawmakers had resolved their differences and restored order.
Oladiji pledged accelerated passage of the budget and charged ministries, departments, and agencies to intensify efforts toward effective implementation of the 2026 fiscal plan.
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