APC defends Ondo finance commissioner amid PDP price range padding allegations

The Ondo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has referred to as for the removing of the state Commissioner for Finance, Omowumi Isaac, over alleged padding of the 2025 price range.

Isaac and the Legal professional Normal and Commissioner for Justice, Kayode Ajulo, are the one two commissioners remaining within the State Government Council after Governor Fortunate Aiyedatiwa not too long ago dismissed others.

In an announcement launched on Monday, the state PDP Publicity Secretary, Kennedy Peretei, accused Isaac of abusing her workplace, citing irregularities within the 2025 Appropriation Invoice.

“The Ondo State 2025 Appropriation Act accommodates some scandalous gadgets within the workplace of the Commissioner for Finance which were the topic of public agitation within the final two weeks. The Fortunate Aiyedatiwa authorities has maintained such a deafening silence and complicity that tongues are wagging over whether or not there may be extra to it than meets the attention,” the assertion learn.

“The N11.5 billion safety vote allotted to the Ministry of Finance within the 2025 accredited price range has not been defined to the individuals of the state, regardless of public outcry. The supply of N250 million as an honorarium and sitting allowance within the Ministry of Finance is one other padded merchandise within the price range for the commissioner’s enjoyment and pleasure. Maybe probably the most insensitive of the gadgets is the procurement of 1 Toyota Prado SUV for the Commissioner for Finance at a princely sum of N230 million.”

The PDP insisted that Isaac should be sacked instantly, stating, “In view of the above budgetary allocations, the Peoples Democratic Party, Ondo State chapter, believes that Mrs Omowumi Isaac, the Ondo State Commissioner for Finance, should be sacked instantly for criminally abusing her workplace. Her declare of being a UK-trained accountant falls flat if all she will be able to do is fleece the individuals’s treasury—the supposed gatekeeper of our funds.”

The occasion additional warned Aiyedatiwa that failure to dismiss the commissioner would immediate additional motion.

“If the governor fails to alleviate the commissioner of her duties, having failed the individuals of the Sunshine State, steps can be taken to show that what’s at stake is the individuals’s funds,” the PDP said.
The occasion additionally questioned the position of the Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee (EFCC) within the matter, saying, “No matter occurred to the Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee group that arrived within the state within the wake of the 2025 price range scandal is inexplicable. A authorities that presides over an enormous infrastructural deficit, a very collapsed healthcare system, and unacceptable falling instructional requirements can unwell afford the monetary recklessness of the commissioner for finance.”

Nevertheless, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) dismissed the PDP’s allegations, accusing the opposition occasion of missing an understanding of the budgetary course of.
“The All Progressives Congress (APC), Ondo State chapter, categorically rejects the unfounded allegations made by the PDP relating to the integrity of Mrs Omowunmi Isaac, the Commissioner for Finance. The assertions introduced by the PDP are usually not solely deceptive but additionally show a troubling lack of awareness of the budgetary course of and the obligations of presidency officers,” the occasion’s Director of Media and Publicity, Steve Otaloro, said.

“It’s important to make clear that the preparation and presentation of the state price range is the only real duty of the Ministry of Funds and Planning. Mrs Omowunmi Isaac, because the Commissioner for Finance, performs no position within the direct formulation of budgetary allocations, and any insinuation that she has padded the 2025 price range is completely false. The APC stands firmly behind Mrs Omowunmi, who has been a diligent and efficient steward of the state’s funds, guaranteeing transparency and accountability.”

Otaloro additionally defended the controversial price range gadgets, stating, “The claims relating to particular price range gadgets, together with the N11.5 billion safety vote and the N250 million allotted for honorarium and sitting allowances, require context that the PDP has chosen to disregard.

“These allocations are a part of a complete budgetary framework designed to reinforce the safety and welfare of our residents. The small print of the price range, together with justifications for these allocations, are publicly accessible and might be reviewed by any occasion.”

The APC urged the PDP to concentrate on factual discussions relatively than “sensationalism.”