A former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose has not provided any proof that Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State got N50 billion intervention from the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu, for victims of January 16, 2024 explosion that rocked Bodija, an upscale area of Ibadan.
Special Adviser to Governor Makinde on Media, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju, who doubles as the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, made the disclosure in his reaction to a document released by Fayose yesterday, which showed that Oyo State requested a N50 billion intervention from the Federal Government.
The explosion, which occurred at approximately 7:45p.m on January 16, 2024, at 8A and 8B Aderinola Street, Dejo Oyelese area of Old Bodija, was caused by explosives illegally stored in a private residence. It was reported that more than 300 houses were damaged, lives lost, scores of people injured, and property, including cars and other personal effects were seriously damaged.
Mr. Fayose has claimed that Governor Makinde got N50 billion intervention from the Federal Government under President Tinubu for victims of the explosion.
Fayose had in a statement issued by Mr. Lere Olayinka, his former media aide yesterday day, which accompanied the document from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, claimed that N50 billion was handed over to Governor Makinde by the Federal Government as intervention fund on the January 2024 explosion that rocked Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The former governor of Ekiti State said he released the document, detailing the Federal Government Intervention Fund to Oyo State as a response to Governor Makinde’s challenge to him to prove the allegation of N50 billion given to his state.
The statement read in part: “Two days ago, I said on national television that Oyo State under Governor Seyi Makinde got a sum of N50 billion 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.
“Meanwhile, only N4.5 billion was released to victims of the Ibadan Explosion. Rather, he diverted this fund and many others to his presidential ambition, which is the reason for the crisis in the PDP and his attacks on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his government.” But Governor Makinde’s media aide dismissed Fayose’s statement as misleading and deliberately disingenuous.
“Recent comments attributed to former Governor Ayodele Fayose, alleging that the Federal Government handed ₦50 billion to Seyi Makinde and that the governor chose to stay silent, while saving up the money to support his presidential ambition are not only misleading, they are deliberately disingenuous.
“Let us be clear from the outset. The Federal Government did not give Governor Makinde N50 billion. This is why Fayose was unable to provide evidence to show the disbursement when asked to do so. In fact, the memo he shared shows what was not disbursed. What exists on record is a request and a promise, not a disbursement of N50 billion.”
Olanrewaju stated further that in the immediate aftermath of the tragic Bodija explosion, which traumatised an entire community, President Bola Tinubu did not visit Oyo State.
“Governor Makinde travelled to Abuja personally, armed with a comprehensive report of the incident and a formal request for support from the Federal Government.
“Following that engagement, the Federal Government promised a ₦50 billion support package. A promise, however, is not a release.
“When it was time to act, only ₦30 billion was released. This partial release was accompanied by demands for inducements tied to the disbursement of the balance. Governor Makinde refused. As a result, the remaining ₦20 billion was withheld.
“Was the governor expected to convene a press conference to announce that the Federal Government had promised ₦50billion, released ₦30billion, and was withholding ₦20billion? Or to publicly litigate negotiations around a national tragedy?
What matters is what was done with the funds that were released.”
Olanrewaju clarified that Makinde acknowledged the Federal Government support during the inauguration of a transparent committee set up to oversee the disbursement of relief funds, adding that the committee ensured accountability, compassion, and proper use of the funds.
“Of the ₦30 billion released, some money was transferred directly to victims as immediate support. Whilst the remainder was deployed for rebuilding and restoration.
“Roads within the affected axis were repaired, reconstruction is ongoing, and a planned memorial at ground zero will honour the lives lost. Policies and security architecture have also been upgraded and strengthened to ensure that such an incident does not recur in Oyo State.
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