In a heated governorship debate in Ondo State, All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate and incumbent Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa was accused by his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) opponent, Agboola Ajayi, of drawing over N1.2 billion monthly as security votes without significant improvements in state security.
Ajayi claimed that despite the security vote, insecurity persists in Ondo, affecting farmers and deterring investment. He criticized Aiyedatiwa, stating that the funds should have led to safer conditions across the state. He pointed to incidents like the Owo attack to underscore his point, insisting that security funds must be transparent and effectively used.
Aiyedatiwa dismissed the accusation, calling it a “political lie.” He argued that Ondo is one of the safest states due to efforts like creating the Amotekun Ranger formation, which, he said, made the state safer post-Owo. When pressed to disclose the exact monthly security vote, Aiyedatiwa declined, citing security protocol.
Ajayi, however, continued to challenge Aiyedatiwa, suggesting that security votes are sometimes diverted rather than fully disbursed to security agencies. Ajayi, previously a deputy governor, claimed this information was accessible in public records and stated that transparency is essential for public funds, especially concerning security expenditures.
