Sunshine State In Review: 10 Things Ondo Residents Discussed from the Past Week

From the tragic health crisis in Odigbo to the swirling political tensions within the ruling party, this past week in Ondo State has been marked by a blend of relief and intense public discourse. As residents grapple with the economic strain of rising food costs and debate the merits of a significantly expanded state budget, the government has faced scrutiny over its infrastructure priorities and management of academic disputes. Whether it is the ongoing university strikes or the controversy surrounding the recruitment of health staff, the conversations across our communities reflect a populace deeply engaged with the challenges and developments shaping the future of the state.

1. The Odigbo Toxic Alcohol Outbreak and Government Ban

Residents are mourning a major health tragedy in Odigbo Local Government Area, where suspected toxic local alcohol or herbal drinks led to over 29 deaths and dozens of hospitalisations. While residents broadly support the state health ministry’s immediate ban on the production, distribution, and consumption of local gin and herbal mixtures in the affected communities, many local traders are expressing deep anxiety over how the sudden enforcement will affect their livelihoods and small market supply chains.

2. Massive Budget Upward Review and Public Skepticism

The Ondo State Government sparked heavy public debate by announcing a massive upward review of the 2026 budget from N524.4 billion to N769.3 billion to fuel an aggressive infrastructure push, including a 90 kilometre road drive spanning all 18 LGAs. However, the announcement met with mixed public reactions; while some residents praised the focus on rural road connectivity and the Alagbaka flyover, many online and local commentators expressed skepticism, pointing out that “virtual” figures do not match the crawling physical development they see daily and arguing that funds should be prioritised toward resolving university strikes.

3. Ondo HMB and Nurses Association Employment Dispute

Conversations in the health sector spiked over friction between the Ondo State Hospitals Management Board, led by the acting Chairman, Dr. Oluwafemi Akeredolu, and the local nurses association. The friction stems from bitter disagreements regarding the recruitment parameters and deployment of Community Health Extension Workers into core health facilities, with professional nurses strongly arguing against using lower tier extension workers to fill vital clinical spaces traditionally reserved for certified registered nurses. But The Ondo HMB has hit back at the Association, accusing them of attempting to assume powers beyond its mandate. The HMB said that CHEWs are not quacks, stressing that they are trained health professionals with licences to operate within a regulated framework.

4. N3.9 Billion Bulk Gratuity Payout

There was palpable relief and widespread praise for Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa as he flagged off the direct bank disbursement of N3.897 billion to pay long awaited gratuities to over 1,000 local government retirees and primary school teachers. Beneficiaries expressed immense gratitude to Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa for his commitment and determination to pay off all the outstanding gratuities in the state. Though worker unions used the opportunity to remind the government that the remaining backlog for subsequent batches must be addressed with equal speed.

5. ASUU Strike in State Universities

Higher education took a heavy hit as the Academic Staff Union of Universities Benin Zone strongly condemned the Ondo government over an ongoing strike affecting three major state institutions: Adekunle Ajasin University, OAUSTECH, and UNIMED. Students and frustrated parents dominated local talk radio, demanding that the state government shift focus away from purely political exercises and use expanding revenues to settle the academic dispute.

6. INEC Releases Final Candidate List for 2027

Political circles in Akure and beyond were set abuzz when the Independent National Electoral Commission officially published the final list of 122 National Assembly candidates for the upcoming 2027 general elections. Community members and political analysts actively debated the final choices, with conversations heavily focused on party infighting, missing alternative voices, and the early kickoff of the 2027 electoral race.

7. Establishment of Ilaje Higher Institutions and Mixed Local Reactions

Residents widely discussed the dual approval to establish the State College of Education at Aboto and kickstart operations for the School of Nursing in the Ilaje Local Government Area. While many community members celebrated these approvals as massive wins for localised teacher and healthcare training in the riverine axis, critics openly questioned why new institutions are being launched while existing state universities languish on strike. Furthermore, a section of local youths argued that the government should prioritise a Maritime University or Institute of Oceanography given the region’s coastal geography.

8. Ban on Phones During School Lectures

Parents, students, and educators actively debated a strict new directive issued by the Ministry of Education banning students from using mobile phones during lectures across both private and public schools. While many parents and teachers applauded the policy as a necessary step to restore academic focus, older students and tech advocates criticised the outright ban as regressive, arguing that mobile tech should instead be integrated as modern learning tools.

9. APC Internal Warfare Over 2027 Election Funds

Political tension skyrocketed in the state after National Assembly candidates of the ruling All Progressives Congress openly revolted against an alleged election funds management committee reportedly constituted by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa. The candidates publicly declared a total lack of confidence in the governor’s committee, alleging that it featured governor’s younger brother and key cabinet members, voicing fears that funds from the APC National Secretariat will be diverted to sponsor rival candidates loyal to the governor on alternative party platforms. Meanwhile, the governor’s camp has fiercely dismissed the allegations as “destructive rumours”, lacking substance and without factual proof. Residents and political observers are heavily discussing the fallout. Many commentators expressed fatigue over early 2027 political infighting, arguing that the ruling party is prioritising campaign money and internal structure over immediate governance and the economic hardships facing everyday citizens.

10. Escalating Food Prices and Market Concerns

Local market associations and consumers spent the week discussing the persistent, painful rise in the cost of basic food staples across local markets like Oja Oba. Distressed buyers openly criticised market unions for excessive price fixing, while simultaneously calling on the state government to deploy urgent food security subsidies and agricultural interventions rather than relying solely on capital road projects.