Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has rejected claims by former Ekiti State governor Ayodele Fayose that he misappropriated part of a N50 billion federal intervention fund released after the January 2024 Ibadan explosion, calling the allegations false, misleading, and politically motivated
Fayose had alleged that Makinde received N50 billion from the federal government but failed to disclose it publicly, claiming that a significant portion of the funds was allegedly diverted for political purposes.
In response, Makinde’s Special Adviser on Media, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, clarified on Sunday that the federal government released only N30 billion to Oyo State, not N50 billion as claimed.
“The federal government did not give Governor Makinde N50 billion. What exists on record is a request and a promise, not a disbursement,” Olanrewaju said, adding that documents cited to support Fayose’s claim merely reflected a proposal, not an actual release of funds.
The statement further explained that following the January 2024 explosion in Bodija, Ibadan—which resulted in fatalities and property loss—Governor Makinde visited Abuja with a detailed assessment report seeking federal intervention, especially after President Bola Tinubu did not make an official visit to the state.
Olanrewaju noted that while the federal government initially promised a N50 billion intervention package, only N30 billion was eventually released. “A promise is not a release. When it was time to act, only N30 billion was released,” he said, explaining that the remaining N20 billion was withheld after conditions linked to inducements were introduced, which Makinde refused.
He added that the governor deliberately avoided publicizing the negotiations around the national tragedy, choosing instead to focus on relief and recovery efforts for affected residents.
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