How I Spent Ibadan Explosion Intervention Fund,
OpenLife Nigeria reports that governor Seyi Makinde has offered insights into how he spent N50 billion Ibadan explosion intervention fund, saying that federal government withheld N20b because of his refusal to pay bribe.
Speaking on Sunday through Dr Sulaiman Olanrewaju, Special Adviser on Media to Oyo State government, Governor Seyi Makinde faulted former governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State over the allegation that he received N50 billion from the Federal Government and secretly saved it to fund a presidential ambition.
In the rebuttal, Olanrewaju described the allegations as “misleading and deliberately disingenuous.”
Olanrewaju clarified that the N50 billion often cited by critics was only a promised support package following the tragic January 2024 Bodija explosion.
Of this sum, only N30 billion was released, while the remaining N20 billion was withheld due to demands for inducements, which Makinde reportedly refused.
“The issue is not about promises. It is about what was done with the funds that were released,” the aide said.
According to him, the N30 billion was used transparently, with N4.5 billion disbursed directly to victims, while the remainder went into rebuilding, road repairs, security upgrades, and memorial plans for the affected community.
The media adviser suggested that the renewed political attacks against Governor Makinde are retaliatory, following his recent statement that he would not support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, despite supporting him in 2023.
“These actions are not driven by principle. They are driven by desperation,” he said, condemning recent attempts to manipulate PDP structures in Oyo State.
The media aide emphasised that truth cannot be a casualty of political machinations and called on Nigerians to judge Governor Makinde by the facts and the performance of his administration, rather than what he described as “half-truths and political mischief.”
“Governor Makinde has made his position clear: he will not be complicit in coercion or intimidation. And if he must stand alone, he will stand, but he is not alone,” Dr. Olanrewaju said.
N50 Billion Ibadan Explosion Intervention Fund: Governor Makinde Paid Only N4.5bn To Victims And Diverted N45.5 Billion, Fayose Alleges
OpenLife Nigeria had reported that former governor Ayo Fayose alleged that governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State received N50 billion support from the federal government to cushion the effect of the January 2024 Ibadan explosion.
Irked by the allegation on national television, governor Makinde demanded proof that he received such sum.
Following the request, Fayose has released a proof of request, stressing that governor Makinde only paid N4.5billion to the victims and diverted the rest for personal use.
However, the proof presented by Fayose does not include proof of approval and payment of the money.
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