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Makinde Did Not Receive ₦50bn, Oyo Govt Tells Fayose

Published

3 weeks ago

December 28, 2025

Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde

Makinde Did Not Receive ₦50bn, Oyo Govt Tells Fayose

The Oyo State Government has dismissed claims by former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose that Governor Seyi Makinde received ₦50 billion from the Federal Government, describing the allegation as misleading and deliberately disingenuous.

In a detailed response, the Special Adviser on Media to the Governor, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju, denied insinuations that Makinde deliberately kept silent about the alleged funds in order to divert them for a future presidential ambition.

According to Olanrewaju, the Federal Government did not disburse ₦50bn to Oyo State, noting that this explained Fayose’s inability to present evidence of such a payment when challenged.

“Recent comments attributed to former Governor Ayodele Fayose, alleging that the Federal Government handed ₦50 billion to Governor Seyi Makinde are not only misleading, they are deliberately disingenuous,” Olanrewaju said.

He clarified that following the January 2024 Bodija explosion in Ibadan, Governor Makinde personally visited Abuja with a comprehensive report of the incident and formally requested support from the Federal Government.

“Following that engagement, the Federal Government promised ₦50bn. A promise, however, is not a release,” Olanrewaju explained.

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He stated that only ₦30bn was eventually released, while the remaining ₦20bn was not accessed due to demands for inducements tied to its disbursement—demands which the governor allegedly rejected.

“When it was time to act, only ₦30 billion was released. This partial release was accompanied by demands for inducements. Governor Makinde refused. As a result, the remaining ₦20bn was withheld,” he said.

Olanrewaju added that Governor Makinde acknowledged the Federal Government’s support during the inauguration of a transparent committee set up to oversee the utilisation of the funds, ensuring accountability and proper disbursement.

He explained that ₦4.5bn, frequently cited in public discourse, represented direct financial support to victims, accounting for about 15 per cent of the total amount released. The remaining funds, he said, were deployed for reconstruction, road repairs, rebuilding of affected homes, and broader security and policy interventions to prevent a recurrence.

“A visit to the affected areas will confirm that reconstruction is ongoing, roads have been repaired, and plans are underway for a memorial to honour lives lost,” he said.

Olanrewaju further linked the renewed controversy to recent political developments, including Governor Makinde’s public declaration that he would not support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, citing concerns about moves toward a one-party state.

He described recent political actions against Makinde as retaliatory and driven by desperation, insisting that the governor’s mandate rests on performance, credibility, and public trust.

“Half-truths and falsehoods may offer temporary comfort to those who trade in political mischief, but they always collapse under the weight of facts,” Olanrewaju said, adding that Makinde remains committed to democracy, transparency, and accountability.

Makinde Did Not Receive ₦50bn, Oyo Govt Tells Fayose

Related Topics:Fayose Ibadan explosion Makinde

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EFCC Arraigns Mompha’s Associate Over Alleged ₦206m Fraud

Published

2 hours ago

January 21, 2026

Trends Admin

EFCC Arraigns Mompha’s Associate Over Alleged ₦206m Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Sarumi Samusudeen Babafemi, an associate of social media personality Ismaila Mustapha (Mompha), alongside three corporate entities, over an alleged ₦206 million fraud before the Lagos State Special Offences Court, Ikeja.

Babafemi — Managing Director and CEO of 606 Autos Limited, 606 Music Limited, and Splash Off Entertainment Limited — faces five counts of conspiracy, concealment, and transfer of proceeds of crime, allegedly committed between 2013 and 2018. The EFCC claims the offences involved large sums, including ₦37.6 million and ₦93 million transferred to third parties, with knowledge that the funds were proceeds of unlawful acts.

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When the charges were read, Babafemi pleaded not guilty. His defence lawyer, SAN Kunle Adegoke, filed a bail application, which the court granted, ordering that Babafemi be released to his counsel upon signing an affidavit of undertaking to appear in court. The trial is now scheduled to commence on March 24, 2026.

The EFCC said Babafemi acted in concert with Mompha and other co-accused — Ridwan Momodu Allison (Osama) and Richard Ugbah, who are currently at large — to facilitate the alleged money laundering scheme. This latest prosecution comes as part of broader EFCC efforts to tackle financial crimes and fraud networks linked to high-profile figures in Nigeria.

EFCC Arraigns Mompha’s Associate Over Alleged ₦206m Fraud

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Police U-Turn: Worshippers Abducted in Kaduna, Security Forces Deployed

Published

2 hours ago

January 21, 2026

Trends Admin

Police U-Turn: Worshippers Abducted in Kaduna, Security Forces Deployed

The Nigeria Police Force has officially confirmed that worshippers were abducted during attacks on churches in Kurmin Wali, Kajuru Local Government Area, Kaduna State, after initially denying the reports. The reversal comes as security agencies deploy tactical units to rescue the victims and secure the area.

Eyewitnesses and local sources say armed gunmen stormed multiple churches, including ECWA and Cherubim and Seraphim, during Sunday services, seizing dozens of worshippers. Community leaders report that over 170 people may have been abducted, with some survivors managing to escape.

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The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and other local bodies have condemned the attacks and called for an urgent and thorough rescue operation. Authorities say they are intensifying efforts to locate and safely recover the victims, amid growing national concern over mass kidnappings in northern Nigeria.

The incident highlights ongoing security challenges in Kaduna State and other northern and central regions, where armed gangs and kidnappers frequently target vulnerable communities, often for ransom or political leverage. Families of the abducted worshippers continue to appeal for swift action as the rescue operations proceed.

Police U-Turn: Worshippers Abducted in Kaduna, Security Forces Deployed

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Presidency Accuses IPOB of Spreading False Christian Genocide Claims in Nigeria

Published

2 hours ago

January 21, 2026

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Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser on Policy Communication to President Bola Tinubu

Presidency Accuses IPOB of Spreading False Christian Genocide Claims in Nigeria

The Presidency of Nigeria has accused the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) of deliberately spreading false claims of a Christian genocide, saying the narrative is being amplified to mislead international opinion and influence foreign policy. Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser on Policy Communication to President Bola Tinubu, described the reports as propaganda lacking verification and stressed that they do not reflect the reality of Nigeria’s security situation.

Bwala’s remarks follow widespread reports linking the so-called genocide narrative to statements from IPOB and affiliated actors, which have circulated on social media and attracted attention from international media and some foreign lawmakers. According to the Presidency, these claims oversimplify Nigeria’s complex security challenges, which include terrorism, banditry, and communal violence, rather than targeted religious persecution.

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The controversy has drawn U.S. congressional attention, with some lawmakers reportedly considering diplomatic responses. In response, the Nigerian Government has engaged U.S.-based lobbyists to highlight its efforts in protecting all citizens, regardless of faith, and to correct misleading narratives surrounding violence in the country.

Religious and civic leaders in Nigeria remain divided. While some dismiss the genocide claims as exaggerated and potentially divisive, others acknowledge violence against Christians but caution that framing it as genocide misrepresents the broader security context. Analysts warn that the debate over religious persecution and misinformation has significant implications for national unity, international perception, and Nigeria’s foreign relations.