Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has accused Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, of failing to disclose a ₦50 billion financial support allegedly given to him by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu following the deadly explosion that rocked parts of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Fayose made the allegation during an interview on TVC on Friday, where he reacted to comments earlier made by Governor Makinde concerning his interaction with President Tinubu after the incident. The former governor said Makinde did not give Nigerians a full and honest account of what transpired between him and the president.
According to Fayose, President Tinubu approved ₦50 billion to support Oyo State in managing the aftermath of the Ibadan explosion, but Makinde failed to make this public. He said this omission has misled Nigerians and created a wrong impression about the federal government’s response to the disaster.
“The president of Nigeria, yes, he wanted the sitting; he wanted the minister to be appointed. Circumstances did not allow him to get that slot,” Fayose said during the interview.
“But you did not tell Nigerians that you got, at the prerogative and mercy of Mr President, ₦50 billion in support of the explosion in Ibadan. He never said that to Nigerians,” Fayose added.
The Ibadan explosion, which occurred earlier this year, caused widespread damage to houses, vehicles, and other properties, while also claiming lives and leaving many residents injured. The incident sparked national concern and drew attention to the safety challenges linked to illegal mining and storage of explosives in residential areas.
Following the explosion, President Tinubu expressed sympathy with the people of Oyo State and promised federal support to help the state manage the situation. Governor Makinde later confirmed that he met with the president and discussed issues surrounding the explosion, but Fayose insists that the governor did not tell the full story.
Fayose further claimed that the ₦50 billion allegedly approved by the president did not go directly into the Oyo State government’s account. According to him, the funds were released following Makinde’s direct engagement with President Tinubu, rather than through regular state allocations.
“The ₦50 billion did not come into the coffers of Oyo State,” Fayose alleged. “It came with you coming to interface with the president because you came and said you met with the president.”
The former Ekiti governor also criticised Makinde for publicly sharing only parts of his discussion with the president that suited him politically. Fayose said Makinde told Nigerians that President Tinubu asked him to help organise the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, a request Makinde reportedly declined.
“You only said the part where you said the president told you to ‘go and organise APC for me,’ and you said, ‘I cannot organise,’” Fayose said. “But you did not tell Nigerians what the president did for you and did for the good people of your state.”
Fayose argued that by failing to acknowledge the alleged financial support, Makinde painted the president in a bad light. He added that the president could also decide to downplay the cost of the explosion response if the public is not aware of the full amount allegedly released.
“So the president can say the explosion is not worth more than ₦10 billion,” Fayose stated, suggesting that Makinde’s silence could lead to misunderstandings about the scale of federal intervention.
The comments by Fayose have sparked fresh debate within political circles, especially as both Fayose and Makinde are members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while President Tinubu belongs to the APC. Political analysts say the allegation highlights the growing internal disagreements within opposition parties and the complex political relationships between federal and state governments.
Makinde has also stated in the past that his government has been transparent in handling funds and relief efforts related to the explosion. The Oyo State Government earlier announced measures to compensate victims, demolish unsafe buildings, and strengthen regulations to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Ibadan explosion itself was traced to the illegal storage of explosives reportedly used for mining activities. The tragedy renewed calls for stricter enforcement of mining laws and better monitoring of hazardous materials, especially in densely populated areas.
President Tinubu’s administration has repeatedly said it is committed to supporting states during emergencies and disasters. The federal government often provides financial and technical assistance through special interventions, emergency funds, or direct support to affected communities.
Fayose, known for his outspoken nature and frequent media appearances, has often commented on national issues and criticised both opposition and ruling party leaders. During his time as governor of Ekiti State, he was a strong voice within the PDP and remains an influential figure in southwestern politics.