Return N30bn you collected from FG plus interest of N4.5b – Fayose slams Gov Makinde
Return N30bn you collected from FG plus interest of N4.5b – Fayose slams Gov Makinde
Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has called on Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, to refund the ₦30 billion reportedly released by the Federal Government as an intervention fund following the January 16, 2024 explosion in Bodija, Ibadan, arguing that the money should be returned if it has not been used.
Fayose made the demand after Governor Makinde publicly acknowledged receiving the ₦30 billion but stated that the funds had not yet been spent.
According to Fayose, it was surprising that the Oyo State government did not previously disclose the receipt of the money to residents of the state.
He further criticized Makinde for only speaking about the intervention funds after Fayose himself raised concerns about an alleged ₦50 billion federal allocation for the Bodija explosion response.
Fayose questioned why details of both the ₦30 billion already received and the remaining ₦20 billion were not communicated earlier, describing the situation as lacking transparency.
In a statement on Thursday night by his spokesperson, Femi Philips, the former governor said: “Since Governor Makinde has now said that he kept the N30 billion he admitted to have received in a bank since 2024, Oyo State Government should return the money to the Federal Government so it can be used for the people for which the money was meant.
“After all, the Federal Government has mechanisms to reach victims of the explosion since their governor has chosen to play politics with their welfare.”
Fayose also insisted that “N30 billion in a bank for 18 months would have generated at least, N4.5 billion at 10 per cent interest.
“Therefore, overnor Makinde must return not less than N34.5 billion to the Federal Government.”
Fayose, who noted that public office demands transparency and accountability, reiterated that he had to make the intervention fund public so as to expose the alleged hypocrisy of the Oyo State governor.
“If he hadn’t go on national television to disclose what happened in a meeting with the President, and concealed the fact that he requested for N50 billion intervention fund for the explosion victims from the President, and the request was granted, there wouldn’t have been any reason to talk.
“But you can’t tell the public what favours you about a meeting and keep the ones that should favour the other parties. As a Yoruba man, we will not allow you to destroy the President’s name and image because of inordinate presidential ambition,” Fayose stated.
