Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has launched a scathing but measured attack on Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, demanding the immediate return of the ₦30 billion federal intervention fund released for victims of the January 16, 2024 Bodija explosion in Ibadan.
Fayose’s demand follows Governor Makinde’s public admission that the fund, released by the Federal Government, has remained unused since 2024, raising fresh questions about transparency, urgency, and accountability in the management of disaster relief funds.
In a statement issued on Thursday by his spokesperson, Femi Philips, Fayose expressed concern that the Oyo State Government failed to inform residents about the receipt of the ₦30 billion and an alleged additional ₦20 billion, bringing the total to ₦50 billion until the matter became the subject of public controversy.
According to Fayose, keeping such a critical intervention fund idle while victims continue to grapple with the aftermath of the deadly explosion is indefensible.
“Since Governor Makinde has now admitted that the ₦30 billion was kept in a bank since 2024, the Oyo State Government should return the money to the Federal Government for proper utilisation,” Fayose said.
“The Federal Government has mechanisms to reach the victims directly, especially if the state government has chosen to politicise their welfare.”
Beyond questions of moral responsibility, Fayose also raised financial concerns, arguing that the funds must have generated significant interest while lying dormant.
“₦30 billion kept in a bank for 18 months would generate at least ₦4.5 billion at 10 per cent interest,” he stated.
“This means Governor Makinde should return not less than ₦34.5 billion to the Federal Government.”
The former governor said his intervention was driven by the need to uphold transparency and accountability, accusing Makinde of hypocrisy and selective disclosure of facts.
Fayose alleged that while the Oyo State governor publicly highlighted aspects of his meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that suited his narrative, he failed to disclose that a ₦50 billion intervention request for explosion victims had allegedly been approved.
“If he had not gone on national television to disclose only what favoured him about the meeting with the President, while concealing the intervention fund meant for victims, this issue would not have arisen,” Fayose said.
He further warned Makinde against politicising a humanitarian tragedy or dragging the President’s image into what he described as personal political ambition.
“You cannot tell the public what favours you and hide what should favour others,” Fayose added.
“As a Yoruba man, we will not allow the President’s name and image to be damaged because of inordinate presidential ambition.”
As the controversy deepens, the spotlight remains firmly on the Oyo State Government to provide clearer explanations on the status, location, and intended use of the federal funds meant to bring relief to victims of one of Ibadan’s deadliest disasters.
Credit: NaijaNews except headline
