…Calls for Proper Engagement, Rejects Politically Motivated Smear Campaigns

By Dayo Johnson, Akure

A group under the aegis of the Yoruba Study Group has strongly condemned the ongoing attacks on Mrs. Omowunmi Isaac, the Ondo State Finance Commissioner, in relation to the state’s 2025 budget.

In a statement issued by the group’s president, Adeosun Olabanji Williams, the Yoruba Study Group accused certain individuals of hijacking the public discourse on the budget for their own political purposes. The group stressed that what should have been an objective discussion on governance and fiscal policy had instead been turned into a targeted smear campaign against the Finance Commissioner.

Williams pointed out that rather than directing grievances through proper channels like the Ondo State House of Assembly, these individuals had chosen to attack Hon. Omowunmi Isaac unfairly. He clarified that the role of the Finance Commissioner is not to draft or approve the state’s budget but to manage state finances based on the approved budget. He added:

“It is misplaced and illogical to make the Commissioner a scapegoat for issues concerning the 2025 Budget.”

The group further explained that the budget preparation process follows a structured procedure, with ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) submitting their budget proposals to the Ministry of Budget and Planning, which then submits them to the House of Assembly for approval. The Finance Commissioner’s job, they said, is strictly to manage the finances based on the approved budget.

The Yoruba Study Group accused certain disgruntled political elements both within and outside the ruling party of being threatened by the Commissioner’s efforts to curb financial leakages and enforce fiscal discipline. These individuals, the group claimed, were frustrated by a public servant who prioritized the state’s financial well-being over personal gain.

The group expressed its strong support for the Finance Commissioner, urging Ondo State citizens to see through the distractions and recognize the integrity and professionalism she has demonstrated in her duties. The group also condemned the politically motivated attacks and warned against using gender bias as a tool for political intimidation.

Williams called on the attackers to stop their unjustified campaign and allow Governor Lucky Orimisan Ayedatiwa to focus on delivering good governance to the people of Ondo State. He concluded that Governor Ayedatiwa’s openness to dialogue should not be mistaken for weakness, and Ondo State’s progress should not be derailed by propaganda.