The Special Adviser to Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Media, Dr Suleimon Olanrewaju, has said that only N30 billion was released to the state as a Federal Government support package following the January 2024 Bodija explosion.
Olanrewaju described as false allegations by a former governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayo Fayose, that Gov. Makinde collected N50 billion from the Federal Government and kept silent about it.
In a statement issued in Ibadan on Sunday, the adviser stressed that although the Federal Government promised N50 billion in support, the full amount was never released.
“The Federal Government did not give Gov. Makinde N50 billion. What exists on record is a request and a promise, not a disbursement of N50 billion,” Olanrewaju said.
He explained that Gov. Makinde personally travelled to Abuja with a comprehensive report on the incident and a formal request for assistance, after which the Federal Government promised a N50 billion support package.
“A promise, however, is not a release,” he added.
Olanrewaju further alleged that the partial release of N30 billion was accompanied by demands for inducements tied to the disbursement of the remaining N20 billion, which he said was withheld because Gov. Makinde refused to approve such inducements.
He said the governor publicly acknowledged the Federal Government’s support during the inauguration of a transparent committee established to oversee the disbursement of the relief funds.
According to him, the committee ensured accountability, compassion and proper utilisation of the N30 billion, with part of the funds transferred directly to victims as immediate relief, while the remaining amount was used for rebuilding and restoration efforts.
He said roads within the affected area had been repaired, reconstruction was ongoing, and plans were underway to build a memorial at the explosion site to honour the lives lost.
Olanrewaju added that security policies and infrastructure in the state had also been strengthened to prevent a recurrence of such an incident.
He clarified that the N4.5 billion often cited as announced by the Oyo State Government referred specifically to direct support provided to victims, alongside other government interventions.
“At the same time, government ensured broader interventions, and a visit to the affected areas will show the reconstruction currently underway,” he said.