Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has called on Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, to return the ₦30 billion intervention fund released by the Federal Government for victims of the January 16, 2024 Bodija explosion in Ibadan.
Naijaonpoint reports that Fayose said the demand became necessary following Makinde’s admission that the fund had not been spent since it was received.
In a statement issued on Thursday by his spokesperson, Femi Philips, Fayose described it as “funny” that the Oyo State governor did not disclose the receipt of the ₦30 billion and an additional ₦20 billion balance to the people of the state until controversy arose over the total ₦50 billion intervention fund.
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.
“After all, the Federal Government has mechanisms to reach victims of the explosion since their governor has chosen to play politics with their welfare.”
The former governor further argued that the money would have accrued substantial interest while sitting in the bank.
“₦30 billion in a bank for 18 months would have generated at least ₦4.5 billion at 10 per cent interest,” Fayose said.
“Therefore, Governor Makinde must return not less than ₦34.5 billion to the Federal Government.”
Fayose, who stressed that public office demands transparency and accountability, said he raised the issue to expose what he described as hypocrisy on the part of the Oyo State governor.
He claimed that Makinde selectively disclosed details of his meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu while withholding information about the intervention fund meant for the explosion victims.
“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.
Fayose also warned Makinde against politicising the issue and dragging the President’s image into what he called “inordinate presidential 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,” he added.