The Oyo State Government has stated that it received ₦30 billion, not ₦50 billion, from the Federal Government as intervention funds following the January 2024 Ibadan explosion.
This clarification was issued on Sunday by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, in response to claims made by former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose.
Fayose had alleged during a television interview that President Bola Tinubu approved and released ₦50 billion to Oyo State after the deadly explosion. Governor Makinde subsequently challenged Fayose to provide proof of the claim.
Following the challenge, Fayose, through his former aide Lere Olayinka, shared documents on social media platform X, insisting they confirmed the ₦50bn intervention.
However, Olanrewaju dismissed the claim, describing it as misleading and inaccurate. According to him, although the Federal Government initially approved ₦50 billion, only ₦30 billion was eventually released.
He explained that after the Bodija explosion, President Tinubu did not visit Oyo State. Instead, Governor Makinde travelled to Abuja with a detailed report of the incident and formally requested federal assistance.
“While ₦50 billion was promised, only ₦30 billion was disbursed. The balance of ₦20 billion was not released after the governor declined certain inducement-related demands,” Olanrewaju said.
He added that the funds released were managed transparently, with a special committee overseeing disbursement to ensure accountability. According to him, part of the money was paid directly to victims, while the rest was allocated to reconstruction and recovery efforts.
Olanrewaju noted that road repairs have commenced, security measures have been strengthened, and plans are underway to establish a memorial at the site of the explosion.
Fayose, however, maintained that the state government failed to fully disclose the extent of federal support. He alleged that only ₦4.5 billion was paid directly to victims and claimed the remaining funds were diverted for political purposes.
Responding to this, Olanrewaju clarified that the ₦4.5 billion represented direct financial support to victims, accounting for 15 per cent of the total funds released. He said the remaining amount was used for rebuilding damaged infrastructure and implementing other intervention measures.
He dismissed allegations of dishonesty or political manipulation, insisting that Governor Makinde’s actions were guided by transparency and empathy.
“Truth does not need to be hidden. It only needs to be stated clearly and without fear,” Olanrewaju said.
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