Revealed: How Gov Akeredolu splashed whooping N7.3billion on contingency in 3 months
Rotimi Akeredolu, the ailing governor of Ondo State, sanctioned almost N7.3 billion for “contingency” between July and September 2023, according to a copy of the state budget performance report obtained by News Men.
The governor gave his approval for the billions of Naira while on medical leave in Germany. He had taken a 21-day leave on June 7, but had returned to the country in September.
While he was away on medical leave, his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, filled in.
The report titled
“Ondo State Third Quarter (July – September) 2023 Budget Performance” was posted on the state government’s website.
According to the paper, the Akeredolu-led administration spent over N8,169,005,150.58 on “contingency” in the last 9 months instead of the N1,069,000,000.00 authorized and approved in the 2023 budget by the Ondo State House of Assembly.
This meant that N7,100,005,150.58 was allegedly illegally spent on “contingency” above the budget ceiling.
A closer examination of the report revealed that N7,363,452,119.70 was spent on the same “contingency” between July and September 2023.
The Cambridge Dictionary defines contingency as something that might happen in the future, frequently generating issues or necessitating more preparations.
Calls to Olatunde Olabode Richard, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, to explain the billions of Naira spent on contingency were not answered or returned.
He also did not respond to text messages asking why the government spent an additional N7 billion without authorization or approval from the state assembly.
Speaking exclusively to SaharaReporters, a lawmaker who did not want his name to be used said the governor’s actions were impeachable.
“It’s glaring from what you showing me that Governor Akeredolu has violated the Ondo state’s appropriation law, and has therefore committed impeachable offences,” he said.
“Spending without the approval of the State Assembly is extra budgetary and illegal.”
Since his return to Nigeria from a three-month medical leave in Germany in September, Akeredolu has remained in his residence in Ibadan, Oyo State.
On June 7, the governor began a 21-day absence, and in August, Akeredolu informed the House of Assembly that he would be extending his medical leave abroad.
However, on September 7, the governor returned to Nigeria after a three-month stay in Germany.
His close aides greeted him at his home in Ibadan, Oyo State.
A day after his return, Akeredolu met with state stakeholders at his residence in Ibadan, including Olamide Oladiji, Speaker of the Assembly, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Deputy Governor, and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He then handed his resumption letter to Oladiji and gave a copy to Aiyedatiwa.
According to SaharaReporters, Akeredolu has been managing the state from his Ibadan mansion since his return to the country.
According to a source, there has been no State Executive Council meeting since his return to Nigeria.
Akeredolu was diagnosed with leukemia in January, according to SaharaReporters.
“The governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu has leukemia, he is really down,” one of the sources in the Alagbaka Government House revealed at that time.
Leukemia is a cancer of the blood caused by a rise in the number of white blood cells in the body.
White blood cells drive out red blood cells and platelets, which the body requires to keep healthy.
White blood cells are effective infection fighters that develop and divide in a controlled manner as needed by the body. However, in persons with leukemia, the bone marrow creates an abnormally large number of aberrant white blood cells that do not function properly.
It is a blood-forming tissue cancer that impairs the body’s ability to combat infections.
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia are the three types.
Leukemia treatment can be complicated depending on the kind of leukemia and other circumstances.
(Credit: Sahara Reporters)