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

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.

READ ALSO:

• Pastor Chris Okafor Kneels to Apologise to Actress Doris Ogala Amid Public Controversy
• Sokoto Operation: FG Reassures Investors, Says Nigeria’s Economy Remain Stable
• Ibadan Explosion: Fayose Releases Documents, Claims Makinde Got ₦50bn from FG

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