Ibadan Explosion Funds Spark Fresh Makinde -Fayose Showdown as Oyo Dismisses N50bn Claim

The political feud between Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose intensified on Sunday over claims of federal intervention funds released after the January 2024 Ibadan explosion.

The Oyo State Government firmly rejected Fayose’s assertion that President Bola Tinubu released ₦50 billion to Governor Makinde following the Bodija explosion, insisting that only ₦30 billion was eventually disbursed.

In a statement, Makinde’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, accused Fayose of peddling falsehoods after the former governor claimed on national television that Makinde received ₦50 billion and concealed it for political purposes.

Makinde had earlier challenged Fayose to provide evidence of the claim.

Responding, Fayose, through his former spokesman, Lere Olayinka, posted documents on X, maintaining that they proved the ₦50 billion intervention.

However, Olanrewaju said the documents exposed the weakness of Fayose’s argument.

“The documents Fayose shared show what was approved, not what was released. The Federal Government did not give Governor Makinde ₦50 billion,” he said.

According to the Oyo government, although ₦50 billion was initially promised by the Federal Government after the explosion, only ₦30 billion was released.

Olanrewaju alleged that the balance of ₦20 billion was withheld after Makinde refused to yield to demands for inducements.

He explained that President Tinubu did not visit Oyo State after the explosion, adding that Makinde personally went to Abuja with a detailed damage report and a formal request for assistance.

The governor’s aide said attention should be focused on the use of the funds actually received rather than on “imaginary figures”.

He said a transparent committee was established to oversee disbursement, with ₦4.5 billion paid directly to victims, while the remaining funds were committed to reconstruction and restoration projects.

“Road repairs are ongoing, security has been strengthened, and plans are underway for a memorial at ground zero,” Olanrewaju said.

Fayose, however, stood by his allegations, claiming Makinde failed to fully disclose federal intervention funds and accusing him of diverting resources to pursue a presidential ambition.

He alleged that only ₦4.5 billion was paid to victims and challenged Makinde to take legal action, claiming he possessed further documents relating to other intervention funds.

Reacting, Olanrewaju said the ₦4.5 billion represented 15 per cent of the ₦30 billion released and was deliberately allocated as direct support to affected landlords and tenants.

“Governor Makinde ensured that victims received immediate relief. That decision reflects empathy, not deception,” he said.

He dismissed claims that Makinde was dishonest or estranged from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as baseless, insisting the governor remains firmly rooted in the party and supported by the people of Oyo State.

“Governor Makinde has nothing to hide. The facts are clear, and the truth will always stand,” Olanrewaju said.