Executive, Legislature Rift Over Supplementary Budget In Ondo Worsens

The conflict between the legislative and executive arms of government in Ondo state took a frightening dimension yesterday following the state House of Assembly’s rejection of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s 2024 supplementary budget.

The assembly members openly expressed their displeasure with the Commissioner for Finance, Mrs Omowumi Isaac, ‘s absence from the plenary despite being summoned by the Assembly to explain the rationale behind the supplementary budget sent to the House by Governor Aiyedatiwa through the commissioner.

Governor Aiyedatiwa, through the Commissioner for Finance, sent a bill to the Assembly to amend the 2024 appropriation bill and authorise the issuance of N487,437 billion from the state’s consolidated revenue fund.

Out of the fund, N246,198 is for recurrent expenditure, while N241,239 is for capital expenditure for the state’s services until the end of the year.

The Assembly members, however, summoned the Commissioner for Finance, Mrs Omowumi Isaac, to explain the performance of the 2024 appropriation law signed into law before it could consider the supplementary budget.

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However, despite the assembly’s invitation letter, the Commissioner should have shown up during the plenary.

It was gathered that she sent a letter through the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. A.O Akinseloyin, stating the commissioner’s inability to appear before the lawmakers. The letter was read by the Clerk of the Assembly, Benjamin Jayeola.

Displeased by the commissioner’s attitude, the lawmakers said they would only pass the bill for a second reading once she appeared before the Assembly.

The Minority Leader, Hon Oguntodu Olajide, representing Akure Constituency 1, said the lawmakers should not approve the letter since the Commissioner of Finance did not honour them in her presence.

Speaking in the same vein, Hon Felix Afe, representing Akoko Northwest constituency, said the letter is an affront to the people of Ondo State.

He said the invitation letter was addressed to the Commissioner, not the Permanent Secretary.

Afe said, “The letter did not state where the Commissioner for Finance went or when she would return. We want her to tell us the budget’s performance for 2024. Without her appearance, we should step it down.

If she is absent next time, the assembly should issue a bench warrant against her.”

In his ruling, the Speaker of the Assembly, Hon Olamide Oladiji, said the supplementary budget should be stepped down until the commissioner appears before the lawmakers to defend it.