Oyo Gov. Denies N50bn Explosion Fund Claim, Challenges Fayose to Provide Proof

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has strongly refuted an allegation by former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, that he received N50 billion from President Bola Tinubu following the January 2024 Ibadan explosion. Governor Makinde has challenged Fayose to produce evidence to support his claim.

The accusation stems from Governor Makinde’s visit to President Tinubu in January 2024 to submit a report on the tragic Ibadan explosion, which resulted in five deaths, 77 injuries, and the destruction of approximately 55 houses.

During a recent television interview, Fayose alleged that Makinde received N50bn from the Presidency for managing the incident’s aftermath, suggesting the funds did not enter the state government’s official accounts. This claim was reiterated by Fayose’s former aide, Lere Olayinka, on social media, who asserted that only N4.5bn was released to victims.

In a firm rebuttal, Makinde’s Chief Press Secretary, Sulaimon Olarenwaju, dismissed the allegations as entirely baseless. He insisted that all actions taken by the state government in response to the explosion have been transparent and focused on victim support and community restoration.

“There is no substance to the claim,” Olarenwaju stated. “If he has proof that the Federal Government gave N50bn, he should provide it. It is not just about going on air to say rubbish. If he has evidence, he should come forward with it.”

The Oyo State government maintains that its handling of the explosion relief efforts has been open and accountable.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled: Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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