A major controversy has erupted in Ondo State following reports that the Deputy Governor, Dr. Olayide Adelami, and his aides allegedly incurred a staggering N130 million in hotel bills over the past year. The expenses, reportedly covered by taxpayers, have raised concerns among the public and opposition parties, with many questioning why such a huge sum was spent on accommodation instead of other pressing needs in the state.
Dr. Adelami has been lodging in multiple high-end hotels in the state since his swearing-in in February 2024, following the renovation of his official residence at the Government House. However, the decision to accommodate him in hotels rather than providing him with an alternative official residence has sparked criticism.
The situation stems from the 2023 general elections, when the Deputy Governor’s official quarters were converted into a computer center and situation room for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state. As a result, the renovation of the lodge has taken longer than expected, leaving Dr. Adelami without a permanent government-provided residence.
Reports indicate that he has lodged in four different luxury hotels in Akure over the past year, with additional expenses beyond accommodation. Sources within the government have confirmed that the state still has outstanding bills to settle for his hotel stay.
Opposition Raises Concerns
Criticism of the hotel expenses has been led by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with their Director of Students Mobilization, Ijanusi Olawale, questioning why the government has continued to foot the deputy governor’s hotel bills when a VIP lodge within the Government House is available.
Olawale stated:
“Despite spending a huge amount of money renovating the VIP lodge, all the lodge occupants had been flushed out. The deputy governor should be temporarily allocated the VIP lodge while his official quarters are completed.”
He further urged the government to redirect the money spent on accommodation towards critical sectors such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
Government Defends Hotel Expenses
Responding to the controversy, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Digital Media, Rahman Adekunle Yusuf, dismissed claims that the Deputy Governor’s stay in hotels was draining the state’s resources. He clarified that Dr. Adelami only stays in hotel apartments occasionally due to work pressures that prevent him from returning to his home in Owo, where he resided before his appointment.
Yusuf explained:
“It is noteworthy that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has ordered the renovation of the Deputy Governor’s official residence, which will be completed soon. Since the first tenure of the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, no deputy governor has occupied the said lodge, including Agboola Ajayi.”
He emphasized that Dr. Adelami does not personally oversee the payment of hotel bills and has often returned to his country home in Owo when work permits. According to Yusuf, the Deputy Governor stays in a single hotel suite, and none of his aides are accommodated with him, as they all have their own residences within Akure.
A senior government official, who spoke anonymously, also downplayed the controversy, stating that the actual cost of the hotel expenses was much lower than N130 million and not something to be alarmed about.
“Where do they expect the Deputy Governor to sleep when his official quarters are still under renovation? Once the quarters are ready, this issue will be resolved,” the official said.
The Bigger Picture
While the government insists that the Deputy Governor’s hotel accommodation is temporary and necessary, critics argue that spending such a large amount on lodging raises questions about fiscal responsibility and governance priorities.
With many parts of Ondo State facing developmental challenges, opposition figures and concerned citizens believe that the government should cut down on unnecessary expenses and prioritize essential services that benefit the general public.
As the renovation of the Deputy Governor’s quarters nears completion, all eyes are on the government to see if the controversy will finally be put to rest or if new revelations will fuel further debates about accountability and prudent spending in Ondo State.
