Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has urged Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, to return the N30 billion he acknowledged receiving from the Federal Government as an intervention fund for the January 16, 2024, Bodija explosion in Ibadan, since he claims not to have utilised the funds.
Fayose expressed his disbelief that the governor did not inform the people of Oyo State about the N30 billion, which Governor Makinde has now confirmed receiving, along with the remaining N20 billion, until he exposed the N50 billion intervention fund.
In a statement on Thursday issued by his spokesperson, Femi Philips, the former governor stated, “Since Governor Makinde has now said that he has kept the N30 billion he admitted to have received in a bank since 2024, the Oyo State Government should return the funds to the Federal Government so that they can be used for the purpose intended.
“After all, the Federal Government has mechanisms to assist the victims of the explosion, since their governor has chosen to play politics with their welfare.”
Fayose further insisted that “N30 billion in a bank for 18 months would have generated at least N4.5 billion in interest at a rate of 10 percent.
“Therefore, Governor Makinde must return no less than N34.5 billion to the Federal Government.”
He emphasised that public office requires transparency and accountability, asserting that he made the intervention fund public to highlight the Oyo State Governor’s hypocrisy.
“If he had not appeared on national television to disclose details of his meeting with the President, and concealed the fact that he requested a N50 billion intervention fund for the explosion victims from the President, which was granted, there would have been no reason to raise this issue.
“But you cannot tell the public what favours you about a meeting while withholding details that should benefit others. As a Yoruba man, we will not permit you to tarnish the President’s name and image for your own Presidential ambitions.”
