Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has released documents he claims show that Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, received N50 billion from the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu.
Fayose said the funds were approved as emergency intervention following the deadly explosion that rocked Ibadan in January 2024.
The former governor made the documents public after Makinde denied the allegation and challenged him to provide evidence to back his claims.
In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by him, Fayose alleged that only N4.5 billion from the N50 billion intervention was disbursed to victims of the explosion.
He claimed that the balance was diverted for political purposes, including what he described as Makinde’s alleged presidential ambition.
According to Fayose, the alleged diversion of funds is partly responsible for the crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Makinde’s criticisms of President Tinubu and his administration.
“Meanwhile, only N4.5bn was released to victims of the Ibadan explosion. Rather, he diverted this fund and many others to his presidential ambition, which is the reason for the crisis in the PDP and his attacks on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his government,” Fayose said.
He explained that he decided to publish the documents to allow Nigerians to judge for themselves whether the Oyo State Government had been transparent in its handling of the funds.
Fayose also challenged Makinde to seek legal redress if he believed the allegations were false, insisting that the documents in his possession support his claims.
However, the document shared on X by Lere Olayinka, media aide to FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, only showed a memo that detailed requests by state governments for intervention funds.
The memo, which emanated from the office of the Accountant General of the Federation to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy drew the attention of the minister to various requests by state governments totalling ₦915.5 billion.
The former governor also alleged that the Oyo State Government had received other financial support from the Federal Government which, according to him, was not disclosed to the public.
READ ALSO: Makinde Fulfils 26-Year-old Land Promise to 3SC’s 1998 Squad
The former Ekiti State governor further claimed to have documents detailing the actual Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of Oyo State, which he said differs from figures previously announced by the Makinde.
“There are documentary evidences on the actual Internally Generated Revenue of Oyo State, as against Governor Makinde’s claim, but we will keep our gunpowder dry for now. My name is still Ayo Fayose; I don’t say what I can’t prove,” he added.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
