IBADAN, Nigeria – The political rift between former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, and the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, reached a fever pitch on Sunday as Fayose released what he describes as “documentary evidence” proving the receipt of N50 billion in federal intervention funds by the Oyo State Government.
The disclosure comes less than 48 hours after Governor Makinde, through his media aides, dared Fayose to provide proof of the allegation first made during a televised interview on Friday. Fayose claims the funds were an emergency intervention from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration following the devastating January 2024 Ibadan explosion.
The Allegations: Diversion and “Presidential Ambitions”
In a scathing statement personally signed by the former Ekiti Governor, Fayose alleged that while the presidency facilitated the release of N50 billion, only a fraction—N4.5 billion—was actually deployed to compensate victims and rebuild the affected Bodija area.
”Yesterday, the Governor responded by asking me to provide evidence that he received such money, and here is the evidence he asked for,” Fayose stated, referring to documents he has now made public. “He diverted this fund and many others to his Presidential ambition, which is the reason for the crisis in the PDP.”
Fayose further accused Makinde of “insincerity” toward the people of Oyo State, claiming the Governor had violated the sanctity of private meetings with the President by disclosing selected details on national television while hiding the massive financial support received.
Key Highlights of the Controversy
- The N50bn Claim: Fayose asserts the money was a “mercy” intervention from President Tinubu following Makinde’s visit to the Villa in January 2024.
- The Breakdown: Allegations suggest only 9% (N4.5bn) of the funds reached the actual victims.
- The Counter-Challenge: Fayose has dared Governor Makinde to sue him for libel, insisting he has further evidence regarding the state’s actual Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and other “hidden” intervention funds.
- Political Fallout: The Oyo State APC has already joined the fray, demanding Makinde’s resignation if he fails to account for the N50 billion.
A Deepening Crisis in the PDP
The timing of these revelations coincides with an unprecedented crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Following the 2025 Elective National Convention in Ibadan—which was recently rejected by INEC—the party has fractured into camps.
Fayose’s whistleblowing appears to be a direct retaliation for Makinde’s recent public declaration that he would not support President Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, a move Fayose views as hypocritical given the alleged secret financial ties.
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”I don’t say what I can’t prove. My name is still Ayo Fayose, and we will keep our gunpowder dry for now,” the former Governor concluded, hinting at more disclosures to come.
As of press time, the Oyo State Government has yet to issue a formal rebuttal to the specific documents released by Fayose, though previous statements from the Chief Press Secretary, Sulaimon Olarenwaju, maintained that no such N50 billion donation exists.
