Ondo 2020: Ajayi, Akeredolu Trade Words Over Monthly Running Grants

Ondo State Deputy Governor and Zenith Labour Party governorship candidate, Agboola Ajayi, has disputed Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s claim that he received N13 million monthly as a running grant, insisting that the actual amount was N12 million.

Ajayi, through his Media Adviser, Allen Sowore, said the money was not for his personal use but covered the operational expenses of the Office of the Deputy Governor.

According to him, the monthly allocation catered for office imprest, staff allowances, vehicle fuelling, maintenance of his official residence and the welfare of aides.

Ajayi said the payment was later stopped by the governor following the breakdown in their political relationship.

He also alleged that Akeredolu received N750 million monthly as security vote and about N150 million as imprest.

The deputy governor further claimed that members of the governor’s family received substantial monthly payments despite not occupying constitutionally recognised offices. Those allegations were not independently established.

Responding through his Chief Press Secretary, Segun Ajiboye, Akeredolu rejected Ajayi’s claims and accused him of spreading false information.

Ajiboye maintained that the governor’s earlier statement that Ajayi received N13 million monthly as running grant was accurate and said official government records could be consulted to determine the truth.

He specifically denied the allegation that Akeredolu collected N750 million monthly as security vote.

The governor’s spokesman urged members of the public to use available transparency mechanisms to verify the competing claims.

He also accused Ajayi of allowing the political dispute between him and the governor to influence his public statements.

The exchange further highlighted the deteriorating relationship between Akeredolu and his deputy as both men prepared to contest the October 10, 2020 Ondo State governorship election on different political platforms.