Ibadan Explosion: Oyo Received N30bn, Not N50bn From Federal Government, Says Makinde’s Aide

Contrary to the allegation that it received N50 billion intervention funds from the Federal Government over the January 2024 Bodija Explosion in Ibadan, Oyo State Government has clarified that it received N30 billion.

Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, made the clarification against the allegations by a former Ekiti Governor, Ayodele Fayose, that Makinde received N50 billion for the victims of the disaster.

LEADERSHIP reports that Fayose had claimed during a television interview that the sum of N50bn was disbursed by President Bola Tinubu after the explosion.

Governor Makinde who swiftly denied the claimed challenged Fayose to provide proof of N50 billion payment by Tinubu.

Responding to this on Sunday, Fayose, through his former aide Lere Olayinka, posted on X, that the federal government released ₦50bn intervention to Oyo State.

“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,” Fayose said.

However, Olanrewaju, responding in an opinion on Oyo Affairs, dismissed the claim as misleading.

“Recent comments attributed to former Governor Ayodele Fayose, alleging that the Federal Government handed N50 billion to Seyi Makinde and that the governor stayed silent to save it for his presidential ambition, are not only misleading, they are deliberately disingenuous.

“The Federal Government did not give Governor Makinde N50 billion. This is why Fayose was unable to provide evidence. In fact, the memo he shared shows what was not disbursed,” he said.

Olanrewaju explained that after the Bodija explosion, President Tinubu did not visit Oyo State, stressing that Governor Makinde personally travelled to Abuja with a comprehensive report and a formal request for support.

“Although the Federal Government promised N50 billion, only N30 billion was released. The remaining ₦20 billion was withheld after Makinde refused demands for inducements,” Olanrewaju said.

He added that, “When it was time to act, only N30 billion was released,” stressing that, “This partial release came with demands for inducements tied to the remaining balance. Governor Makinde refused. As a result, the remaining ₦20 billion was withheld”.

The CPS said reconstruction work was ongoing with roads repaired, security policies upgraded, and a memorial planned at ground zero of the Bodija Explosion site.

Olanrewaju said the N4.5 billion representing 15 per cent was given to victims of the explosion as direct support to them with the remainder deployed for reconstruction and other interventions.

“The N4.5 billion often quoted 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,” he said.

He further dismissed claims that Makinde was dishonest or disconnected from his party structure as “dead on arrival,” stressing that the governor remains one of the few serving Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors, with a mandate rooted in performance, credibility, and public trust.

“Governor Makinde has made his position clear and would not be complicit. Truth does not need protection. It only needs to be told, fully, clearly, and without fear,” Olanrewaju said.