By Abdulahmeed Abdulrozaq Bilal | Fact Frontier.
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Nigeria's political landscape was rocked today by serious allegations from former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, who claims to have evidence that Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde received but diverted a N50 billion federal intervention fund meant for victims of the January 2024 Ibadan explosion. The Oyo State government has vigorously denied the claim, dismissing it as "baseless" and challenging Fayose to provide verifiable proof.
The public clash, which has escalated rapidly over the weekend, is deeply entangled in the internal crisis of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and raises new questions about the use of disaster relief funds.
Fayose's Allegations and "Evidence"
The controversy began when Fayose, during a Friday appearance on TVC's 'Politics Tonight,' alleged that Governor Makinde had obtained N50 billion from President Bola Tinubu following the Ibadan explosion but had not disclosed it to the public.
Governor Makinde's office promptly responded, with his Chief Press Secretary, Sulaimon Olarenwaju, challenging Fayose to provide evidence for his claim. On Sunday, Fayose released a statement accompanied by a document which he presented as the requested evidence.
In his statement, Fayose made several key allegations:
• Only N4.5 billion of the alleged N50 billion was released to victims of the explosion.
• The remainder of the fund was diverted to fuel Governor Makinde's "presidential ambition," which Fayose cites as a root cause of the current crisis within the PDP.
• He challenged Governor Makinde to sue him for defamation if the claims are false.
• He hinted at possessing further evidence regarding other intervention funds and Oyo State's actual Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
Fayose defended his decision to go public with government documents, stating it was necessary for transparency after Makinde discussed private presidential meetings on television.
Oyo State Government's Forceful Denial
The government of Oyo State has categorically rejected all allegations. In interviews with multiple news outlets, Governor Makinde's spokesperson, Sulaimon Olarenwaju, issued a firm denial.
Key points from the government's response include:
• Denial of Receipt:
The state insists no N50 billion donation was ever received from the Federal Government or the Presidency.
• Challenge for Proof:
Olarenwaju repeatedly challenged Fayose to "provide evidence" and stated that "he who makes an allegation must provide evidence".
• Questioning Credibility:
The governor's aide personally questioned Fayose's credibility, noting that "even members of his family have publicly disowned him".
• Defense of Relief Efforts:
The government maintained that its response to the Ibadan explosion was transparent and that all actions were aimed at supporting victims and restoring affected communities.
Political Undertones and Wider Reactions
The exchange is widely seen as a proxy battle in the ongoing factional war within the PDP. Fayose is a prominent ally of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and stated,
I'm a Wike person. Anywhere Wike is, that is where I am.Governor Makinde belongs to a different faction of the party led by Kabiru Turaki. The friction intensified after Makinde publicly declared he would not support President Tinubu's re-election bid in 2027.
Other political actors have seized on the allegation:
• Oyo State APC:
The state's chapter of the All Progressives Congress called on Governor Makinde to "account for the N50b Ibadan relief fund or resign immediately". They accused the governor of a history of financial sleaze and a lack of accountability for the N4.5 billion he acknowledged spending on victims.
• PDP Support Group:
A PDP group in Oyo State, the Oyo PDP-Visionaries, slammed Fayose's claim as "false and misleading". They criticized him for presenting what they called a mere request letter from the Ministry of Finance as proof of fund approval and disbursement.
Background: The Ibadan Explosion
The tragic incident at the heart of this dispute occurred in January 2024 on Adeyi Avenue in the Bodija area of Ibadan. The explosion resulted in five fatalities, 77 injuries, and damage to approximately 55 houses. Governor Makinde visited President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa on January 22, 2024, to present a report on the incident and seek federal assistance.
A Call for Evidence and Accountability
With Fayose claiming to have evidence and the Oyo State government demanding to see it, the situation has reached a stalemate punctuated by fierce personal attacks. The allegation strikes at the heart of public trust, concerning funds meant for victims of a tragic disaster.
Fayose's direct challenge to Governor Makinde to pursue legal action suggests he is prepared for a prolonged public battle. As the story develops, the demand from all sides is for concrete, verifiable documentation that can either substantiate or finally dispel the claim of a N50 billion intervention fund. The outcome will likely have significant repercussions for the political fortunes of both men and the troubled factions of the PDP.
