“Prove I Took N50bn From Tinubu,” Makinde Tells Fayose

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has challenged Ayo Fayose, a former governor of Ekiti State, to provide evidence for his claim that he received N50bn from President Bola Tinubu following the January 2024 explosion in Ibadan.

Makinde had visited the Presidential Villa, Abuja, in January 2024 to submit a report on the explosion, which claimed five lives, injured 77 people, and destroyed about 55 houses in the Oyo State capital.

Speaking during an interview on TVC on Friday, Fayose alleged that the Presidency released N50bn to Makinde to manage the aftermath of the incident, adding that the funds were not paid into the Oyo State Government’s accounts.

The allegation was repeated by Fayose’s former aide, Lere Olayinka, who claimed in a Facebook post that although N50bn was received, only N4.5bn was disbursed to victims of the explosion.

Reacting to the claims, Makinde’s Chief Press Secretary, Sulaimon Olarenwaju, described the allegations as false and challenged Fayose to back them with facts.

“There is no substance to the claim,” Olarenwaju said in an interview with Sunday Punch. “If he has proof that the Federal Government gave N50bn, he should present it. Making allegations on air is not evidence.”

Olarenwaju added that the Oyo State Government would not engage further unless credible proof was provided, insisting that the state’s response to the explosion was handled transparently and in line with due process.