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Bodija Blast: Oyo Govt Explains Why N30bn FG Fund Was Not Announced
Bodija Blast: Oyo Govt Explains Why N30bn FG Fund Was Not Announced
The Oyo State Government has explained why it did not publicly announce the N30 billion Federal Government intervention fund released after the January 2024 Bodija explosion in Ibadan, saying such funds are subject to budgetary procedures and do not require public disclosure upon receipt.
The clarification followed public backlash triggered by former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, who alleged that Governor Seyi Makinde failed to account for N50 billion approved by the Federal Government for victims of the deadly explosion.
Newstrends reports that the explosion, which occurred on January 16, 2024, claimed two lives, injured at least 77 people, and destroyed properties worth billions of naira in the Bodija area of Ibadan.
Speaking in a recent interview, Fayose challenged Makinde to explain how the intervention funds were spent, backing his claims with documents allegedly showing Federal Government approval of N50 billion.
In response, Governor Makinde, through his media aide Sulaimon Olanrewaju, clarified that although N50 billion was approved, only N30 billion was actually released to the state.
Reaffirming this position in a statement on Thursday, the Oyo State Government said the N30 billion intervention fund has remained unused and intact since its release.
The statement was jointly signed by Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Professor Musibau Babatunde, and Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade.
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According to the statement, the funds have been domiciled in the Oyo State Government Infrastructure Support Account with First Bank of Nigeria since 2024.
“As of December 31, 2025, the N30 billion remains untouched in the Oyo State infrastructure account with First Bank. Interested members of the public may verify this information with the bank,” the statement said.
The government explained that it deliberately refrained from spending the money because the outstanding N20 billion balance from the approved sum has not been released by relevant federal agencies, nearly two years after the disaster.
“The Oyo State Government has deliberately refrained from utilising the N30 billion already released, recognising that the remaining N20 billion has been withheld for reasons yet to be communicated to the state,” the statement added.
It further noted that recent controversies surrounding the approval process at the federal level justified the state’s decision to adopt a “wait-and-see” approach before deploying the funds.
On efforts already made, the Makinde administration disclosed that it had spent N24.6 billion from its own resources to address the impact of the explosion.
This includes N20.141 billion for reconstruction of infrastructure in Bodija and surrounding communities, and N4.085 billion paid as compensation and support to victims.
“These expenditures were fully borne by the Oyo State Government,” the statement stressed.
The government reiterated its commitment to transparency and accountability, insisting it had nothing to hide.
“Governor Seyi Makinde remains committed to serving the people of Oyo State faithfully and truthfully, with utmost respect for the social contract that binds government to the governed,” the statement said.
Bodija Blast: Oyo Govt Explains Why N30bn FG Fund Was Not Announced
News
US Lawmakers Raise Fresh Alarm Over Alleged Christian Genocide in Nigeria
US Lawmakers Raise Fresh Alarm Over Alleged Christian Genocide in Nigeria
Several United States lawmakers have raised fresh alarm over alleged Christian persecution and genocide in Nigeria, urging diplomatic intervention, policy action, and international attention to the country’s ongoing security crisis.
Republican Representative Riley Moore highlighted violence by armed groups, including Boko Haram and Fulani militias, which have displaced hundreds of thousands of Christians, particularly in Benue State. Moore described the attacks as “genocidal” and has called for stronger U.S. engagement to protect vulnerable communities.
In Congress, lawmakers have introduced resolutions condemning violence against Christians in Nigeria, with some pushing to designate the country as a “Country of Particular Concern (CPC)”, a U.S. foreign policy measure that could trigger sanctions and diplomatic pressure. Supporters argue the move is necessary to compel Nigeria to strengthen security, while critics caution that such a designation could strain U.S.–Nigeria relations.
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The Federal Government of Nigeria has dismissed the genocide narrative as propaganda and misinformation, noting that Nigeria’s security challenges affect both Christian and Muslim communities. Abuja has also hired U.S.-based lobbyists to communicate its security efforts and clarify that the violence is linked to terrorism and communal conflict, not targeted religious extermination.
Religious and civil society voices remain divided. Some emphasise the real threat to Christian communities, while others warn that framing the situation as genocide oversimplifies Nigeria’s multifaceted security challenges, which include terrorism, banditry, and communal violence.
As debate intensifies, the controversy continues to influence international perceptions, diplomatic relations, and discussions on religious freedom and security policy in Nigeria.
US Lawmakers Raise Fresh Alarm Over Alleged Christian Genocide in Nigeria
News
Obasanjo Holds Secret Meeting With Babangida Amid 2027 Election Speculations
Obasanjo Holds Secret Meeting With Babangida Amid 2027 Election Speculations
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo met privately with ex-military ruler General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida at Babangida’s residence in Minna, Niger State, in a closed-door meeting that has sparked widespread speculation about potential political alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The meeting, which lasted about 30 minutes, drew attention as both leaders emerged as key elder statesmen whose counsel and influence are often sought by Nigeria’s political elite. Neither Obasanjo nor Babangida spoke to journalists after the session, and no official statement was released, fueling discussions about behind-the-scenes strategic planning and coalition-building for 2027.
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Political analysts note that such high-profile consultations are common ahead of major elections, as party leaders, former presidents, and influential figures explore alliances, policy priorities, and national governance strategies. Observers also link this meeting to recent PDP and APC elder consultations, signaling continued efforts by senior politicians to shape the electoral landscape.
The rendezvous underscores Obasanjo’s continuing role as a political kingmaker, leveraging his network and experience to influence party strategies, candidate selection, and national discourse. With the 2027 elections approaching, similar closed-door meetings among Nigeria’s top political figures are expected to intensify in the coming months.
Obasanjo Holds Secret Meeting With Babangida Amid 2027 Election Speculations
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Outrage in Borno as APC Excludes VP Shettima’s Photo at North‑East Zonal Hearing
Outrage in Borno as APC Excludes VP Shettima’s Photo at North‑East Zonal Hearing
There has been widespread anger in Borno State after the All Progressives Congress (APC) omitted Vice‑President Kashim Shettima from the official banner at the party’s North‑East zonal public hearing on constitutional amendments in Maiduguri. The banner, which featured President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the five APC governors from the region, and the party’s National Legal Adviser, conspicuously left out Shettima, a native of Borno State.
The omission prompted immediate backlash from party leaders, including Abdulkarim Lawan, Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, who described it as “provocative and unfair,” stressing that it was inappropriate to sideline a senior party official in his home state. The speaker recalled a similar controversy at an APC event in Gombe State last year, highlighting persistent sensitivities within the party’s North‑East faction.
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Attendees of the Maiduguri hearing, convened to discuss proposed constitutional amendments, expressed support for Lawan’s remarks, with loud applause and calls for the Vice‑President’s recognition. In response, the APC Deputy National Chairman dismissed the exclusion as an oversight by organisers, insisting there was no intention to diminish Shettima’s status and affirming that the hearing’s focus remained on party reforms rather than politics.
The incident comes amid speculation about internal APC dynamics ahead of the 2027 general elections, including questions around representation and leadership within the North‑East. Analysts note that repeated omissions of Shettima at high-profile events could fuel perceptions of internal rifts and affect party cohesion in the region.
Outrage in Borno as APC Excludes VP Shettima’s Photo at North‑East Zonal Hearing
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