Fayose’s N50bn Relief Fund Claim, Misleading – Makinde

As the controversy surrounding the federal government’s N50 billion relief fund continues, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has declared that the federal government released N30 billion, not N50 billion, as support following the January 2024 Bodija explosion.

The Special Adviser to the governor (Dr.) Sulaimon Olanrewaju dismissed claims by former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, that Makinde received N50 billion and was hoarding the funds to pursue a presidential ambition.

Olanrewaju described the allegation as misleading and deliberately disingenuous.

“Recent comments attributed to former governor Ayodele Fayose, alleging that the federal government handed N50 billion 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.”

“The federal government did not give the governor N50 billion. 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 N50 billion, Olanrewaju said.

He explained that after the January 2024 explosion, which claimed lives and destroyed properties in Bodija, Makinde personally visited Abuja with a detailed report and a formal request for assistance.

“Following that engagement, the federal government promised a ₦50 billion support package. When it was time to act, only ₦30 billion was released. This partial release was accompanied by demands for inducements tied to the disbursement of the balance. Makinde refused. As a result, the remaining ₦20 billion was withheld,” he stated.

Olanrewaju, who also serves as the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, questioned whether the governor should have publicly announced the stalled negotiations.

“Was the governor expected to convene a press conference to announce that the federal government had promised ₦50 billion, released ₦30 billion, and was withholding ₦20 billion? Or to publicly litigate negotiations around a national tragedy? What matters is what was done with the funds that were released.”

According to him, Makinde acknowledged the federal government’s support during the inauguration of a transparent committee established to oversee the disbursement of relief funds.

“Of the ₦30 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,” he said.

Olanrewaju added that the ₦4.5 billion often cited by critics refers only to direct payments made to victims.

“This represents 15 per cent of the total sum released. Governor Makinde found a way to provide 15 per cent direct support to landlords and tenants, demonstrating his usual empathy, while ensuring that the government carried out broader interventions. Indeed, a visit to the affected areas will show the reconstruction being done”, he added.

He further linked the renewed criticism of the governor to recent political developments, noting Makinde’s public declaration that he would not support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.

“Almost immediately, political hostilities were activated. Just days ago, a group aligned with the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, attempted to constitute a so-called PDP Oyo State caretaker committee, in blatant disregard of political reality and party structure. As expected, the only two credible names associated with that effort publicly distanced themselves from the exercise”, he said.

Olanrewaju concluded that attempts to portray Makinde as dishonest would fail.

“The attempt to portray Governor Makinde as dishonest, ungrateful, or disconnected from the structure of his party is dead on arrival. Half-truths and outright falsehoods may offer temporary comfort to those who trade in political mischief, but they always collapse under the weight of facts”, he said.