Governor Seyi Makinde has dismissed Ayodele Fayose’s claim of a N50bn federal payout, saying only N30bn was released for the Bodija explosion response
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Sunday dismissed claims by former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, that the Federal Government released N50bn to Oyo State after the January 2024 Bodija explosion in Ibadan.
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Makinde said the Federal Government approved and released N30bn, not N50bn, following a request made by the state.
The clarification was contained in a statement issued in Ibadan on Sunday by Makinde’s Special Adviser on Media, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju.
Fayose had reignited controversy on Friday during a television interview, alleging that Makinde failed to disclose a N50bn federal intervention approved by President Bola Tinubu for victims of the Bodija explosion.
The former governor claimed Makinde rejected Tinubu’s request to help organise the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State but concealed the alleged financial support from the Federal Government.
Responding, Olanrewaju said Fayose’s claims were misleading and unsupported by facts.
“Oyo State requested N50bn, but what was released was N30bn,” Olanrewaju said.
“A request or promise is not the same as a disbursement.”
He explained that N4.5bn of the released funds was paid directly to victims, while the balance was deployed for reconstruction, infrastructure upgrades and enhanced security around the affected area.
Olanrewaju described the renewed debate as politically motivated, following Makinde’s recent declaration that he would not support Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
“Half-truths may offer temporary comfort, but they collapse under the weight of facts,” he added.
The controversy deepened as a Peoples Democratic Party group, Oyo PDP-Visionaries, dismissed Fayose’s allegation as false and reckless.
In a statement, the group’s coordinator, Qudus Olayide, said the document circulated by Fayose only reflected a funding request, not proof of approval or payment.
The group accused Fayose of deliberately spreading misinformation to discredit Makinde.
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State demanded that Makinde explain how any federal relief funds were utilised or resign from office.
In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, the APC accused the governor of financial recklessness and called for transparency over spending related to the Bodija explosion.
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Makinde’s administration has insisted that all funds received were properly accounted for and deployed in the public interest.
