….Calls It Unrealistic, Misleading
The Vice Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Balogun Ward, Offa Local Government, Comrade Tajudeen Hammed Anderson has strongly criticized the 2025 budget estimate presented by the Executive Chairman, Hon. Olatunji Olawale Suleiman (Omituntun), describing it as unrealistic, misleading, and lacking in transparency.
The ₦7.373 billion budget, which was presented before the Legislative Council, was tagged the “Omituntun Budget 2025” and focused on infrastructural development, economic empowerment, and service delivery, yesterday.
However, the opposition member has raised concerns over the credibility of the revenue projections, poor allocation of funds, and the administration’s failure to prioritize critical sectors.
In a statement he officially released, he faulted the revenue estimates, describing them as “overly ambitious and unrealistic.”
The budget projects ₦3 billion in non-oil revenue from exchange rate gains and electronic transfers, a figure the PDP says is purely speculative.
“How does Offa Local Government plan to generate ₦3 billion from exchange rate fluctuations and electronic money transfers? This is a highly unstable revenue source, and there is no clear strategy outlined in the budget,” the statement read.
Furthermore, the PDP Chieftain criticized the meager projection of ₦40 million in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), noting that the administration is failing to maximize local revenue sources while depending heavily on uncertain external funds.
The PDP also took issue with the allocation of funds to key projects, arguing that many pressing issues affecting Offa residents were either underfunded or ignored altogether.
Among the projects listed in the budget, the opposition questioned the ₦400 million earmarked for the rehabilitation of Obada-Ring Road, describing the amount as inflated.
“I won’t be surprised if we can see similar road projects executed in neighboring LGs at far lower costs. This is a 1.1km of road and it’s gulping N400m? What transparency measures are in place to ensure this project does not become a conduit for siphoning public funds?” the statement queried.
Similarly, he criticized the ₦110 million budgeted for borehole projects, stating that there is no clear information on the wards to benefit from the initiative or the sustainability of the project.
On education, he lamented that the ₦224 million allocated for classroom construction and renovation was inadequate, given the state of dilapidated schools across Offa.
He also described the ₦15 million allocation for the Offa Local Government Farm as “laughable,” questioning how such a small budget could drive meaningful agricultural development and food security in Offa, which is the food basket of Kwara South and some parts of Osun State.
Despite the economic hardships faced by residents, healthcare and social welfare received little attention in the budget, he criticized.
“With rising inflation and economic hardship, the APC-led government has failed to provide direct social welfare programmes to support vulnerable citizens. The ₦160 million allocated to healthcare infrastructure is grossly inadequate to address the sector’s growing challenges,” the statement read.
The opposition also questioned why no funds were allocated for medical outreach programs, affordable healthcare initiatives, or direct financial support for struggling households affected by economic policies such as the fuel subsidy removal.
The PDP also raised concerns about the lack of transparency and accountability in the execution of past budgets, urging the Legislative Council to scrutinize the proposed allocations.
“We have seen a pattern where budget figures are announced with fanfare, yet little to no implementation follows. The people of Offa deserve clarity on how these funds will be spent, and we demand an open process to prevent financial mismanagement,” the party stated.
The opposition further criticized the APC-led administration for claiming to have renovated the Legislative Chamber, which had been inactive for years, arguing that the council has largely operated as a rubber stamp for executive decisions, rather than an independent legislative body.
The PDP Chieftain also dismissed Hon. Suleiman’s claim that his administration is committed to youth and economic empowerment, citing the meager ₦28 million allocation for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
“This amount is completely inadequate to support Offa’s growing population of young entrepreneurs. No specific vocational or digital skills programs have been outlined, proving once again that this government is only paying lip service to economic empowerment,” the party stated.
In conclusion, Anderson described the 2025 budget as a document filled with political gimmicks and deceptive figures, calling on the Legislative Council to thoroughly review the proposal before approving it.
“The APC-led government in Offa must shift from propaganda to real governance. Budgeting is not about announcing large figures; it is about execution, transparency, and impact. The people of Offa deserve better, and as the opposition, we will continue to hold this administration accountable until real progress is achieved.”
The party urged residents to remain vigilant and engaged, stressing that the days of unchecked spending and empty promises must come to an end.
HERE IS THE FULL STATEMENT
Offa LG 2025 Budget is Unrealistic, Misleading – PDP’s Comrade Tajudeen Hammed Anderson
I, Comrade Tajudeen Hammed Anderson, the Vice Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Balogun Ward, Offa Local Government, wish to express my deep concerns regarding the recently presented ₦7.37 billion 2025 budget estimate by the Executive Chairman of Offa Local Government, Hon. Olatunji Olawale Suleiman (Omituntun).
The so-called “Omituntun Budget 2025” is nothing but a collection of unrealistic revenue projections, misplaced priorities, and deceptive figures designed to mislead the people of Offa.
As a responsible opposition, we cannot sit back while the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government continues to engage in political gimmicks at the expense of the people’s welfare.
The budget proposal claims that Offa Local Government will generate ₦3 billion from non-oil revenue, particularly from exchange rate gains and electronic money transfers.
I find this highly speculative and misleading. Where exactly does the APC government expect to generate this revenue from? What structures have they put in place to ensure its realization?
Furthermore, while they claim that Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) will be ₦40 million, this is a gross underestimation of Offa’s economic potential. Rather than putting in place a sustainable revenue strategy, this administration is depending on uncertain federal allocations and external sources that may never materialize.
A closer look at the budget allocations reveals several inflated projects and misplaced priorities. The chairman claims that the rehabilitation of Obada-Ring Road will cost ₦400 million, I won’t be surprised if we can see similar road projects executed in neighboring LGs at far lower costs. This is a 1.1km of road and it’s gulping N400m? What transparency measures are in place to ensure this project does not become a conduit for siphoning public funds?
We demand a detailed breakdown of how these funds will be spent to avoid wasteful spending.
Likewise, the ₦110 million earmarked for motorized boreholes raises questions. Which communities will benefit from this? How many boreholes will be constructed? What is the sustainability plan? The people of Offa deserve answers.
The ₦224 million allocation for classroom construction and renovation is inadequate, considering the dilapidated condition of many schools in the area.
Our children deserve better learning environments, yet this budget fails to prioritize the education sector adequately.
It is also laughable that the administration allocated a mere ₦15 million for the Offa Local Government Farm, an initiative they claim will drive food security and agricultural development. How does the APC government intend to make any meaningful impact in agriculture with such a paltry sum? Offa as a town and LG is the food basket of Kwara South and some parts of Osun State.
The people of Offa are facing serious economic hardship, yet this budget fails to provide direct social welfare programs to support struggling households.
The ₦160 million allocated to healthcare infrastructure is far from sufficient to address the numerous health challenges in our communities. Where are the provisions for free medical outreach programs, affordable healthcare services, or financial support for elderly and vulnerable citizens?
One of my biggest concerns is the APC government’s history of poor budget implementation and lack of transparency. Year after year, they present grand budgets, but little is done in reality.
The chairman boasted about renovating the Legislative Chamber, yet we all know that the council has not been functioning as an independent legislative body. Instead, it has become a mere rubber stamp for executive decisions, making a mockery of democracy.
The chairman spoke about his commitment to youth and economic empowerment, yet the budget allocates only ₦28 million for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
This amount is grossly inadequate to support the thousands of young entrepreneurs struggling to establish businesses. There is no provision for vocational training, digital skills development, or financial support for startups. The APC government is paying lip service to youth empowerment without any tangible plans to uplift our young people.
I want to make it abundantly clear that the PDP in Offa Local Government will not stand by while public funds are mismanaged.
We demand a thorough review of this budget by the Legislative Council before it is passed.
Budgeting is not about announcing big figures; it is about execution, transparency, and impact. The people of Offa deserve a government that prioritizes their needs rather than a government that uses the budget as a tool for political propaganda.
I call on all well-meaning citizens of Offa to remain vigilant and demand accountability from their leaders. The days of unchecked spending and deceptive budgeting must come to an end.
The people of Offa deserve real governance, not empty promises.
