Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has asked Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, to return ₦30 billion released by the Federal Government for victims of the Bodija explosion in Ibadan.
He said the money should be sent back to Abuja if it has remained unused since it was received.
Fayose spoke after Governor Makinde admitted that the ₦30 billion intervention fund had not been spent.
The fund was approved to support victims of the January 16, 2024 explosion that rocked the Bodija area of Ibadan.
In a statement released by his spokesman, Femi Philips, Fayose criticised Makinde for not informing the people of Oyo State about the money earlier.
He said the disclosure only came after public arguments over a total ₦50 billion intervention fund, which also included an additional ₦20 billion.
Fayose described the situation as strange and unacceptable.
He said public funds meant for victims should not be kept idle while affected families continue to struggle.
He said, “Since Governor Makinde has now said that he kept the ₦30 billion he admitted to have received in a bank since 2024, Oyo State Government should return the money to the Federal Government so it can be used for the people for which the money was meant.”
Fayose argued that the Federal Government has enough structures to reach the victims directly.
He accused the Oyo governor of turning a humanitarian issue into a political matter.
“After all, the Federal Government has mechanisms to reach victims of the explosion since their governor has chosen to play politics with their welfare,” he said.
The former governor also raised concerns about the financial gains from keeping such a large sum in the bank.
He said the money would have generated significant interest over time.
“₦30 billion in a bank for 18 months would have generated at least ₦4.5 billion at 10 per cent interest,” Fayose said.
Based on this calculation, he insisted that the Oyo State Government should refund more than the original amount.
“Therefore, Governor Makinde must return not less than ₦34.5 billion to the Federal Government,” he added.
Fayose said transparency and accountability are basic duties of anyone holding public office.
He claimed he raised the matter to expose what he called double standards in Makinde’s public conduct.
He accused the Oyo governor of revealing only parts of his engagement with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that suited him.
According to Fayose, details about the intervention fund were deliberately left out.
“If he hadn’t gone on national television to disclose what favoured him about a meeting with the President, and concealed the fact that he requested ₦50 billion intervention fund for the explosion victims and that the request was granted, there wouldn’t have been any reason to talk,” Fayose said.
He also warned Makinde against dragging the President into political controversies.
He said the issue should not be used to advance personal political ambition.
“But you can’t tell the public what favours you about a meeting and keep the ones that should favour other parties. As a Yoruba man, we will not allow you to destroy the President’s name and image because of inordinate presidential ambition,” Fayose added.
