JUST IN; Gov Makinde finally reveals how much he collected from FG after Fayose’s bombshell

JUST IN; Gov Makinde finally reveals how much he collected from FG after Fayose’s bombshell

The Oyo State Government has refuted claims that it received N50 billion in intervention funds from the Federal Government following the January 2024 Bodija Explosion in Ibadan, clarifying that only N30 billion was released.

The clarification was issued by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, in response to allegations made by a former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, who claimed that President Bola Tinubu approved and disbursed N50 billion to the state for victims of the disaster.

Fayose made the allegation during a television interview, prompting Governor Makinde to deny the claim and challenge him to provide evidence of any such payment.

Fayose later responded on Sunday through his former aide, Lere Olayinka, by posting on X that the Federal Government had released ₦50 billion to Oyo State.

“Two days ago, I said on a national television that Oyo State under Governor Seyi Makinde got a sum of N50bn from the Federal Government as intervention on the January 2024 explosion in Ibadan.

“Yesterday, the Governor responded by asking me to provide evidence that he received such money, and here is the evidence he asked for,” Fayose said.

Reacting to this, Olanrewaju described the claim as misleading in an opinion published on Oyo Affairs.

“Recent comments attributed to former Governor Ayodele Fayose, alleging that the Federal Government handed N50 billion to Seyi Makinde and that the governor stayed silent to save it for his presidential ambition, are not only misleading, they are deliberately disingenuous.

“The Federal Government did not give Governor Makinde N50 billion. This is why Fayose was unable to provide evidence. In fact, the memo he shared shows what was not disbursed,” he said.

Olanrewaju explained that President Tinubu did not visit Oyo State after the explosion and that Governor Makinde personally travelled to Abuja with a detailed report and a formal request for federal support.

“Although the Federal Government promised N50 billion, only N30 billion was released. The remaining ₦20 billion was withheld after Makinde refused demands for inducements,” Olanrewaju said.

He further stated that, “When it was time to act, only N30 billion was released,” adding that, “This partial release came with demands for inducements tied to the remaining balance. Governor Makinde refused. As a result, the remaining ₦20 billion was withheld”.

According to the CPS, reconstruction efforts are ongoing, with roads repaired, security measures improved, and plans underway for a memorial at the Bodija Explosion ground zero.

He added that N4.5 billion, representing 15 per cent of the funds received, was paid directly to victims, while the balance was used for reconstruction and related interventions.

“The N4.5 billion often quoted refers to direct support to victims. This represents 15 per cent of the total sum released. Governor Makinde found a way of giving 15 per cent back to landlords and even tenants as direct support in his usual show of empathy,” he said.

Olanrewaju also rejected allegations that the governor was dishonest or estranged from his party structure, describing such claims as “dead on arrival,” and noting that Makinde remains one of the few serving Peoples Democratic Party governors with a mandate built on performance and public trust.

“Governor Makinde has made his position clear and would not be complicit. Truth does not need protection. It only needs to be told, fully, clearly, and without fear,” Olanrewaju said.