The Special Adviser on Media to Oyo State Governor, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju, has refuted claims made by former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, that Governor Seyi Makinde received N50 billion from the Federal Government. He described the allegation as misleading and deliberately disingenuous.
Olanrewaju also dismissed insinuations that the governor remained silent about the alleged funds to hoard money for a future presidential ambition. He clarified that Governor Makinde did not receive any such funds, which he stated explains why Fayose was unable to provide evidence of disbursement when challenged to do so.
“Recent comments attributed to former Governor Ayodele Fayose, alleging that the Federal Government handed N50 billion to Seyi Makinde and that the governor chose to stay silent while saving the money for his presidential ambition are not only misleading, they are deliberately disingenuous,” Olanrewaju said.
He went on to clarify that while N50 billion was requested, only N30 billion was released due to issues surrounding requests for inducements. “The Federal Government did not give Governor Makinde N50 billion. This is why Fayose was unable to provide evidence of the disbursement when asked. In fact, the memo he shared shows what was not disbursed,” Olanrewaju added.
He explained that following the tragic January 2024 Bodija explosion, which claimed lives and destroyed homes, Governor Makinde travelled to Abuja with a comprehensive report of the incident and a formal request for support from the Federal Government. Although President Bola Tinubu promised a N50 billion support package, Olanrewaju emphasised, “A promise, however, is not a release. When it was time to act, only N30 billion was released. This partial release was accompanied by demands for inducements tied to the disbursement of the balance, which Governor Makinde refused.”
Olanrewaju also questioned whether the governor was expected to hold a press conference to announce the Federal Government’s promise and the subsequent withholding of funds. “What matters is what was done with the funds that were released,” he stated.
He pointed out that Governor Makinde did acknowledge Federal Government support during the inauguration of a transparent committee set up to oversee the disbursement of relief funds. “Of the N30 billion released, some money was transferred directly to victims as immediate support, while the remainder was deployed for rebuilding and restoration,” he explained.
He added, “The N4.5 billion often quoted as announced by the Oyo State Government refers to direct support to victims, representing 15 percent of the total sum released. Governor Makinde found a way of giving 15 percent back to landlords and tenants as direct support in his usual show of empathy.”
Olanrewaju asserted that the narrative surrounding the alleged funds is being distorted, particularly following Governor Makinde’s recent declaration during a media chat that he would not support President Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027. He stated, “This declaration carries weight because he supported him in 2023, a decision he has since openly said he regrets.”
He concluded by emphasising that Governor Makinde will not be complicit in any actions that undermine democracy. “Lovers of democracy, defenders of truth, and ordinary Nigerians who understand what is at stake will stand with him. Truth does not need protection; it only needs to be told, fully, clearly, and without fear.”
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