Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has criticised Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde over the handling and disclosure of funds allocated for victims of the January 2024 Ibadan explosion.
Speaking during an interview on Arise News, Fayose alleged that President Bola Tinubu approved a ₦50 billion Federal Government intervention fund for reconstruction and support for affected communities. He claimed the Oyo State Government initially denied receiving the funds before later confirming receipt of ₦30 billion.
“When I said Makinde collected ₦50 billion from the President, they denied it. Later, they admitted receiving ₦30 billion. If you follow my track record, you will see that what I say eventually comes to pass,” Fayose said.
The Oyo State Government, however, rejected the allegation, maintaining that it received only ₦30 billion from the Federal Government. Governor Makinde’s Chief Press Secretary, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, and Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, said no additional funds were released and dismissed claims that an extra ₦20 billion was withheld.
According to the state government, the ₦30 billion intervention fund is held in a dedicated infrastructure support account with FirstBank and is being used for post-disaster reconstruction and recovery projects across Ibadan.
