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A civic advocacy group, Ondo Redemption Front (ORF), has expressed concerns over the state of governance and development in Ondo State, alleging that the administration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa lacks a clear development strategy and has failed to translate available resources into tangible benefits for residents.
Addressing journalists in Lagos, the Chairman of the group, Ayodeji Ologun said its interventions were motivated by a commitment to accountability and public interest rather than political considerations.
He argued that despite increased federal allocations and internally generated revenue, the state has not recorded commensurate improvements in critical sectors such as healthcare, education, infrastructure and security.
The group cited findings from independent assessments, including the Public Sector Performance Index (PSPI), which it claimed indicate that Ondo State has experienced a decline in national development rankings despite its fiscal capacity.
According to ORF, the state received about N171.85 billion in Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) disbursements between January and August 2025, yet development outcomes have remained below expectations.
It maintained that the challenge facing the state is not lack of revenue but what it described as ineffective utilisation of available resources. It alleged that many residents continue to face poor road conditions, inadequate healthcare services, struggling schools and rising insecurity.
The group also referenced citizen satisfaction surveys, claiming that Ondo State ranked low in areas such as road infrastructure, public education, access to clean water, environmental sanitation, awareness of government programmes and perceptions of public sector integrity.
According to ORF, recent national performance assessments suggest that several states, including Lagos, Ogun, Kaduna, Niger, Adamawa and Abia, have recorded improvements in governance and service delivery, while Ondo has struggled to maintain its previous standing.
The organisation expressed particular concern about the healthcare sector, stating that public hospitals in many parts of the state face challenges, including inadequate staffing, insufficient equipment and limited capacity to provide quality services.
It further alleged that rural communities increasingly rely on alternative healthcare options due to perceived shortcomings in public health facilities.
On security, it claimed that some farming communities and rural areas have been affected by incidents of kidnapping and violent attacks, which it said had disrupted economic activities and heightened fears among residents.
The group also questioned the state government’s decision to proceed with a proposed flyover project in Akure amid what it described as pressing challenges in healthcare, education, security and rural infrastructure.
While stressing that it was not opposed to infrastructure development, the group argued that major projects should be guided by clear development priorities and transparent processes.
It called on the government to disclose details of the flyover project, including its cost, contractor, procurement process, funding source and completion timeline.
According to ORF, preliminary work on the project had reportedly commenced despite what it described as insufficient public information about the project, raising concerns about transparency and accountability.
The organisation subsequently outlined a series of demands, including the publication of full details of the flyover project, the release of a comprehensive state development plan, increased investment in healthcare infrastructure, improved security measures, publication of FAAC utilisation records since 2023 and the establishment of a public project monitoring portal.
It concluded by urging the Aiyedatiwa administration to adopt what it described as a more strategic approach to governance, centred on planning, transparency, accountability and measurable development outcomes.
The group maintained that Ondo possesses the resources and human capital required for progress but argued that stronger leadership and policy implementation would be needed to unlock its full potential.
The state government had not issued an immediate response to the claims contained in the statement as of the time of filing this report.
