Fayose, Makinde Lock Horns Over FG’s Relief Fund For Ibadan Blast Victims

Nigeria’s political space heated up over the weekend as a public row between Governor Seyi Makinde and former Ekiti Governor Ayodele Fayose erupted over the Federal Government’s financial intervention following the January 2024 Ibadan explosion.

Following Governor Seyi Makinde’s recent friction with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, former Ekiti Governor Ayodele Fayose, during a TVC News appearance on Wednesday, challenged the Oyo State Governor over his accusations of Federal Government neglect, specifically questioning the oversight of a ₦50 billion relief fund allegedly received after the 2024 Ibadan explosion.

A statement and document shared by Lere Olayinka, aide to the FCT Minister, revealed that the Oyo State Government requested a ₦50 billion relief fund after the blast, a document which was accompanied by a statement reportedly signed by ex-Governor Fayose.

Makinde, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS) Sulaimon Olanrewaju, rebutted the N50 billion, saying he got only N30 billion and proceeded to explain how it was disbursed.

Fayose, in the reported statement, alleged that the Federal Government, through the office of the Accountant General of the Federation, disbursed N50 billion to support victims in the Bodija market explosion.

Fayose said, “Two days ago, I said on a national television that Oyo State under Governor Seyi Makinde got a sum of N50bn 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 N4.5bn 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.

“Even though it is not in my character to go public with official government documents, I had to do this so that Nigerians will know who is saying the truth, and who has not been sincere with the people of Oyo State.

“Most importantly,  if, as a governor,  you have elected to go on national television to disclose part of what transpired in private meetings you had with the President,  it becomes the duty of well-meaning Nigerians to give full disclosure.

“Lastly, I challenge Governor Seyi Makinde to sue me on this. Let me also tell him that there are proofs of other intervention funds received from Tinubu’s administration by the Oyo State Government, which the governor refused to disclose to the people.

“Also, there is documentary evidence on the actual Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of Oyo State, as against Governor Makinde’s claim. But we will keep our gunpowder dry for now.”

Makinde on Sunday hit back at former Ekiti State governor Ayodele Fayose over claims that the Federal Government released N50bn to Oyo State as relief funds following the January 2024 explosion in Bodija, Ibadan.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Makinde clarified that while Oyo State requested N50bn, the Federal Government only released N30bn.

Olanrewaju said, “Recent comments attributed to former Governor Ayodele Fayose, alleging that the Federal Government handed N50billion 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 N50billion. 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 N50billion.

“In the immediate aftermath of the tragic January 2024 Bodija explosion, which claimed lives, destroyed homes, and 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 N50billion support package.

“A promise, however, is not a release. When it was time to act, only N30billion was released.

“Was the Governor expected to convene a press conference to announce that the Federal Government had promised N50 billion, released N30 billion, and was withholding N20 billion? Or to publicly litigate negotiations around a national tragedy?

“What matters is what was done with the fund that was released.

“To be clear, Governor Makinde did acknowledge Federal Government support during the inauguration of a transparent committee set up to oversee the disbursement of relief funds. That committee ensured accountability, compassion, and proper use of the funds.

“Of the N30 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.

“It is important to underline this point. The N4.5 billion often quoted as announced by the Oyo State government refers to direct support to victims. This represents 15 per cent of the total sum released. Governor Makinde found a way of giving 15 per cent back to landlords and even tenants as direct support in his usual show of empathy.

“The answer is not far-fetched. Governor Makinde recently stated, during a media chat, that he would not support President Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027. This declaration carries weight because he supported him in 2023, a decision he has since openly said he regrets.

“His reason is equally clear: the growing attempt by the current administration and its allies to push Nigeria towards a one-party state. That declaration marked a turning point.”

Nigerians have been demanding answers to know the reason behind the sudden friction between Makinde and Wike, who were members of the Group of Five Governors (G-Five) and Allies who supported President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2023 against their party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

But, they now belong to different camps in the main opposition party and hold contrasting views on its protracted leadership crisis.

While Fayose belongs to the Wike/Anyanwu faction, which is rooting for the second-term ambition of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Oyo governor is the arrowhead of the Saminu Turaki faction.

The weekend’s showdown brought forth new evidence to the political space, as Nigerians are patiently waiting to see what the coming weeks entail.