Ondo Assembly rejects Aiyedatiwa’s supplementary budget

The Ondo State House of Assembly has rejected the 2024 supplementary budget brought before the legislature by the executive arm over the absence of the Commissioner for Finance, Mrs. Omowumi Isaac, to defend the budget.

The lawmakers who were not pleased with the decision of the Finance Commissioner to appear at the hallowed chambers despite being summoned threatened to issue a bench warrant against her.

Lucky Aiyedatiwa sent a bill to the Assembly to amend the 2024 appropriation bill and authorise the issuance from the consolidated revenue fund of the state of a sum of N487,437 billion.

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

The Assembly subsequently invited the Commissioner for Finance to explain the performance of the 2024 appropriation law signed into law before it could consider the supplementary budget but failed to honour the invitation nor send a representative.

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

Infuriated by the development, the lawmakers vowed not to pass the bill for a second reading until she appears before the Assembly with the Minority Leader, Olajide Oguntodu (Akure Constituency 1), urging his colleagues not to approve the letter since the commissioner of finance did not honour them with her presence.

On his part, Felix Afe, representing Akoko Northwest constituency, described the letter as an affront to the people of Ondo State. He said the invitation letter was not addressed to the Permanent Secretary but to the Commissioner.

He said, “The letter did not state where the Commissioner for Finance went to or when she would come back. We want her to tell us the performance of the budget for 2024. Without the appearance of the Commissioner for Finance, we should step it down.
If she does not show up next time, the assembly should issue a bench warrant against her.”

Also, the lawmaker representing Okitipupa Constituency 1, Chris, described the letter from the Permanent Secretary as fake. He said the Commissioner for Finance should come and explain to the people of the state what the supplementary budget is meant for.

Another lawmaker, Wunmi Fayemi Obayelu, representing Ilaje Constituency Two, expressed dismay at the absence of the commissioner from the plenary even though she was given enough time to appear before the lawmakers.

Her words, “We want her to elaborate more on the supplementary budget. We can’t go ahead if we don’t know what is in the budget. She has to explain why there is a supplementary budget when we still have the 2024 budget. The House has the power to issue a bench warrant against her if she refuses to appear at the next adjourned date.

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

The Speaker directed the Clerk of the Assembly to write another letter for the commissioner to appear before the lawmakers.

He fixed October 17 for the appearance of the commissioner’s failure, which may lead to further action.