The Ondo State Government has refuted media reports suggesting that Governor Rotimi Akeredolu spent N7.3 billion without the approval of the state House of Assembly during his medical vacation in Germany. The report alleged that the funds were used for “Contingency” over a three-month period.
In response, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Akeredolu, Richard Olatunde, issued a statement titled “Re: Akeredolu spent N7.3 billion in three months on ‘Contingency’ without House of Assembly approval.” The statement emphasized the administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
Olatunde clarified that the referenced N7.3 billion constituted cumulative palliative funds received from the Federal Government. These funds, labeled as “Infrastructure Support Fund,” were allocated under the contingency sub-heading to address unforeseen expenses not initially budgeted for but deemed necessary during the fiscal year.
According to Olatunde, the contingency funds were designed to meet emergency expenditures that were not provided for in the current year’s appropriation law but were crucial to the public interest and required immediate attention. The CPS asserted that Governor Akeredolu did not personally spend the N7.3 billion, as the funds were appropriately utilized for palliatives.
The statement highlighted the establishment of a contingency fund in accordance with the Ondo State Public Finance Management Law 2017, which allows for the utilization of the fund to address emergency expenditure not provided for in the current year’s appropriation law.
Governor Akeredolu’s administration remains committed to the highest standards of financial responsibility, and the palliative committee will release details of the expenditure in due course, according to the statement. The government urged the public to rely on accurate information and avoid being swayed by sensational claims lacking factual basis.
