A heated political dispute has erupted in Oyo State over the disbursement of federal funds allocated for victims of the devastating Bodija explosion earlier this year. The controversy centers on allegations by former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose that Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde received N50 billion from the federal government and diverted a significant portion for personal political ambitions.
Fayose, who released a memo he claims originated from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, asserted that only a fraction of the purported N50 billion was distributed to explosion victims, with the remainder allegedly used to fund Makinde’s presidential aspirations within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Governor Makinde, through his media aide, has vehemently denied Fayose’s claims, stating that the state government did not receive the full N50 billion. The governor’s office clarified that while a promise of N50 billion was made by the federal government, only N30 billion was actually released, and even that release was allegedly accompanied by demands for inducements for the remaining balance.
The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has also entered the fray, demanding a transparent explanation from Governor Makinde on how the alleged N50 billion relief fund was utilized. The party has called for his immediate resignation if he fails to provide satisfactory accountability for the funds.
Adding to the pressure, a former President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists and Africa Union of Journalists, Lanre Ogundipe, urged the governor to publish a detailed, itemized account of the federal intervention funds. Ogundipe stressed that public accountability requires full disclosure, not political challenges, and that citizens are entitled to know if federal records align with state disclosures.
The Oyo State Government’s Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju, further elaborated on the clarification, stating that the N4.5 billion often cited by the government refers specifically to direct support for victims, representing 15% of the N30 billion released. The remaining funds were reportedly used for rebuilding efforts, infrastructure repair, and strengthening security architecture in the affected areas.
Olanrewaju criticized Fayose’s allegations as misleading and disingenuous, reiterating that the full N50 billion was never disbursed. He highlighted that Governor Makinde refused to comply with alleged demands for inducements to access the remaining N20 billion, leading to its withholding by the federal government.
This public disagreement underscores a broader concern about transparency and accountability in the management of public funds, particularly in the aftermath of a major disaster. The ongoing political exchange raises questions about the full extent of federal support and its equitable distribution to those affected by the Bodija explosion.
