Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has released documents he claims show that ₦50 billion was approved by the Federal Government, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as emergency support to Oyo State following the January 2024 Ibadan explosion.
Fayose’s action follows a public denial by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, who had challenged him to provide evidence backing the allegation.
Fayose’s Claims
In a statement signed by him and circulated on Saturday, Fayose said he made the documents public to allow Nigerians to independently assess the veracity of his claims. He alleged that although the funds were approved as emergency relief after the explosion, only ₦4.5 billion was reportedly disbursed to victims.
Fayose further claimed that the remaining funds were allegedly diverted to support Governor Makinde’s purported presidential ambition—an allegation that has not been proven and remains contested.
He also dared Makinde to take legal action against him, insisting that additional records exist showing that other forms of federal financial support to Oyo State were not disclosed to the public.
Additional Allegations
Beyond the emergency funds, Fayose claimed to possess documents relating to what he described as the actual Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of Oyo State, which he said differs from figures publicly stated by the governor. He indicated that more documents could be released at a later time if necessary.
In his words, Fayose stated that he would not make such allegations without evidence and maintained confidence in the authenticity of the documents he shared.
Government’s Position
Governor Makinde has previously dismissed the ₦50 billion claim as false, with the Oyo State Government reiterating that no such amount was received from the Federal Government. The state has maintained that all interventions and relief measures connected to the Ibadan explosion were handled transparently, with proper documentation.
As of the time of filing this report, the Oyo State Government has not issued a fresh response specifically addressing the documents released by Fayose.
Context
The January 2024 explosion in Ibadan resulted in multiple fatalities, dozens of injuries, and extensive property damage, prompting calls for federal assistance and coordinated relief efforts.
The dispute between Fayose and Makinde has continued to generate public debate, with observers noting that the matter may ultimately require independent verification or legal clarification.
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