Akeredolu’s Alleged Unauthorized Spending Raises Impeachment Concerns 

Akeredolu’s Alleged Unauthorized Spending…

In a concerning development, the ailing Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, is facing scrutiny over the alleged approval of over N7.3 billion for “contingency” between July and September 2023, without the necessary approval from the Ondo State House of Assembly. This revelation comes at a time when Governor Akeredolu has been on medical leave, initially embarking on a 21-day leave on June 7, with his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, assuming an acting capacity in his absence.

According to a budget performance report titled “Ondo State Third Quarter (July – September) 2023 Budget Performance,” obtained by SaharaReporters, the Akeredolu-led government spent a total of over N8.1 billion on “contingency” in the last nine months, significantly exceeding the N1.07 billion appropriated and approved in the 2023 budget by the state legislature. This raises serious questions about the legality and appropriateness of the alleged unauthorized spending.

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Further analysis of the report indicates that N7,363,452,119.70 was spent on “contingency” between July and September 2023 alone. The term “contingency,” defined as something that might possibly happen in the future, usually causing problems or necessitating further arrangements, leaves room for interpretation regarding the nature of the expenses.

Calls made to Olatunde Olabode Richard, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, seeking clarification on the substantial expenditure, went unanswered, and text messages were reportedly ignored. The alleged unauthorized spending has sparked concerns among lawmakers, with one anonymous legislator stating that Governor Akeredolu may have committed impeachable offenses by violating the state’s appropriation law.

This development comes against the backdrop of Governor Akeredolu’s ongoing health challenges. Having returned to Nigeria from a three-month medical leave in Germany in September, the governor has reportedly been governing the state from his residence in Ibadan, Oyo State. There have been no State Executive Council meetings since his return, raising questions about the efficiency of governance and decision-making processes.

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The situation is further complicated by the revelation, reported by Charityreporters in January, that Governor Akeredolu is reportedly being treated for leukemia, a type of cancer affecting the blood-forming tissues. The health concerns and alleged unauthorized spending present a challenging scenario for Ondo State, with calls for transparency, accountability, and adherence to due process becoming increasingly urgent.