Clarification on Ondo’s finances

By: Ayeni Temidayo

IN a democratic society, governance thrives on trust, and trust is built on transparency. The people of Ondo State are neither naive nor indifferent to how their commonwealth is managed. They are informed citizens who understand that public office is a responsibility, not a privilege shrouded in secrecy. Since assuming office in February 2024, the Honourable Commissioner for Finance in Ondo State has yet to provide a comprehensive public account of the state’s financial inflows and outflows. There has been little to no detailed communication on monthly federal allocations, internally generated revenue (IGR), expenditure breakdowns, or the current standing of the state’s accounts. This prolonged silence raises serious concerns about accountability and openness in public financial management. At a time when economic realities demand clarity and prudence, it is not only appropriate but necessary for citizens to ask: What comes into Ondo State each month? How are these funds allocated? What tangible outcomes justify the spending? These are not hostile questions, but rather fundamental to participatory governance.

Nigeria’s democratic framework is anchored on principles of accountability and transparency. Public officials are entrusted with resources on behalf of the people, and with that trust comes the obligation to provide regular, clear, and accessible reports. Governance cannot, and should not be conducted behind closed doors. Ondo State cannot be run in obscurity without checks and balances. There are precedents for openness in the governance of Ondo State. From the days of the late Dr. Olusegun Agagu to the administration of the late Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN, Commissioners for Finance – right up to figures like Chief Tayo Alasoadura and Mr. Wale Akinterinwa – understood the importance of engaging the press. They addressed tough questions, explained budgetary decisions, and reassured citizens through openness. Even at the federal level, the current Minister of Finance, Chief Wale Edun, regularly interfaces with the media, offering clarifications on fiscal policy, national revenAss and explain the state’s financial position? Why the seeming elusiveness when accountability is demanded?

Ondo people are not gullible. They are observant, informed, and increasingly concerned about transparency in governance. Avoiding the press does not eliminate questions – it amplifies them. Accountability is not optional. It is the cornerstone of public trust. Addressing the media, answering questions, and providing detailed breakdowns of revenues and expenditures are not acts of charity; they are responsibilities of office. This current administration under Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa appears to have drifted from the  standard laid by the past administrations. The absence of consistent financial disclosure from the Ministry of Finance signals a troubling departure from established norms of transparency. This is not merely about criticism, it is about responsibility. The people of Ondo State deserve clarity. They deserve to know how their resources are managed, what progress is being made, and what challenges exist. Silence is not governance, and opacity is not leadership.

Ondo citizens are not gullible. They are observant, engaged, and increasingly unwilling to accept ambiguity in matters that directly affect their welfare. The call is simple and justified: the Honourable Commissioner for Finance must provide a detailed and regular account of the state’s finances. Anything less undermines public trust and weakens the very foundation of democratic governance. The people of Ondo State deserve full transparency in how public funds are generated and spent, because governance is a trust, not a private affair. Public office is a responsibility, not a privilege shrouded in secrecy, and any attempt to obscure financial dealings undermines the very foundation of democratic governance. To deny citizens access to such critical information is nothing short of an affront to their dignity and rights. The people are not gullible; they understand that transparency is essential for trust, development, and fairness. Without open disclosure, suspicion grows, and confidence in leadership erodes, creating a dangerous gap between the government and those it is meant to serve.

ALSO READ: LASUTH blames burnt DNA centre for failure to identify late journalist Pelumi Onifade’s body

If this pattern of silence and concealment persists, the people of Ondo State will not remain passive. They will demand accountability and insist that those in power uphold their duty with honesty and openness. In the end, true leadership is measured not by control, but by the willingness to be answerable to the people at all times.

•Temidayo writes in from Ondo State.