A heated exchange erupted between Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and PDP candidate Agboola Ajayi during a televised gubernatorial debate, centered on allegations of N1.2 billion security vote expenditure ahead of the November 16 governorship election.
During the Channels TV debate in Akure on Sunday, Mr Ajayi launched a direct accusation at the incumbent governor: “Despite withdrawing over N1.2 billion as security votes from the state budget, the state is still experiencing severe security breaches in terms of murders and kidnappings.”
The PDP candidate claimed the controversial withdrawal occurred during the week of the Edo State governorship election, despite widespread economic hardship among Ondo residents.
He further alleged that the current administration had undermined the Amotekun security legacy established by late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.
Governor Aiyedatiwa, running on the APC platform, strongly refuted these claims:
“How can I withdraw N1.2 billion for the Edo election? I was not contesting any election in Edo, and the budget is there published online for anyone to verify.”
When pressed to disclose his actual security vote allocation, the governor responded: “I cannot discuss that here because it is a security matter.”
This led to a sharp challenge from Mr Ajayi:
“If you say it is not N1.2 billion, tell us how much you collected as security votes, if it is N2, tell us.”
The governor directed those seeking information to consult the state’s appropriation act online, though notably, such documents typically do not itemize security votes under specific subheads.
Beyond security concerns, the debate covered critical state issues. On economic development, Mr Ajayi criticized the lack of industrial growth:
“The state government had continued to allow the state to run without any industry, raising the state’s level of poverty.”
He promised to develop riverine areas to create employment opportunities.
Governor Aiyedatiwa countered by highlighting existing industries that have provided employment in recent years, pledging to further boost job creation and economic growth.
The education sector also sparked intense discussion, with Mr Ajayi highlighting severe understaffing:
“There were only two teachers in the primary school in my village.”
He dismissed the incumbent’s educational initiatives as mere rhetoric.
In response, Governor Aiyedatiwa detailed his administration’s efforts:
“I had embarked on a massive renovation of schools and recruitment of teachers across the schools.”
The debate underscored the mounting tensions between the candidates as they approach the November 16 gubernatorial election, with both contenders presenting contrasting visions for Ondo State’s future development and security.
