The National Democratic Coalition (NDC) in Ondo State has criticised the administration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, describing its performance as a regression across key sectors more than two years after he assumed office.
In a statement signed by its State Publicity Secretary, Owolola Adebola, the group said the governor’s early promise of renewal has failed to translate into measurable progress, arguing that conditions in the state have instead deteriorated.
According to the coalition, Ondo’s economic direction remains uncertain, citing weak internally generated revenue and continued dependence on federal allocations. It noted that capital projects appear underfunded while recurrent expenditure dominates spending, raising concerns over fiscal priorities and transparency. The group further alleged that the absence of a clear economic strategy has resulted in fragmented and reactive policy decisions.
The NDC also highlighted challenges in the education sector, pointing to deteriorating infrastructure, irregular teacher welfare, and poor student performance in national examinations such as WAEC and NECO. It added that many schools, particularly in rural communities, lack basic facilities including electricity, adequate seating, and sanitation, while reforms in teacher development and curriculum modernisation have yet to gain traction.
In agriculture, the coalition argued that government interventions have yielded limited impact despite the sector’s importance to the state’s economy. Farmers, it said, continue to struggle with inadequate access to inputs and weak extension services, alongside the absence of a clear roadmap for developing value chains.
On security, the group expressed concern over what it described as rising cases of kidnapping, armed robbery, and communal clashes. It accused the government of relying on short-term responses rather than implementing a comprehensive and coordinated security strategy, leaving many communities exposed.
The coalition also criticised the business environment, citing policy inconsistency, stalled industrial initiatives, and poor infrastructure. It noted that road networks, water supply, and electricity remain inadequate, while essential public services such as waste management and healthcare suffer from weak funding and execution.
Raising concerns about governance, the NDC alleged limited transparency in budget processes and insufficient engagement with civil society, adding that the administration’s response to criticism has often been dismissive, thereby undermining public trust.
The group measured the cumulative impact of these challenges as one that is stagnating the state or making it struggle to make meaningful progress.
