IBADAN EXPL0SION: Makinde’s spokesman blasts Fayose over N50bn allegation

IBADAN EXPLOSION: Makinde’s spokesman blasts Fayose over N50bn allegation

By Adeola Badru

Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Dr. Sulaimon Olarenwaju, has firmly rejected claims by former Ekiti State governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose, that President Bola Tinubu released N50 billion to the Oyo State government in the aftermath of the January 2024 Ibadan explosion.

The explosion, which occurred at Adeyi Avenue, Ibadan, in January 2024, claimed five lives, left 77 people injured and destroyed about 55 houses.

Following the incident, Makinde visited Aso Rock on January 22, where he presented a report on the explosion to Tinubu.

Reacting to Fayose’s allegation during a telephone conversation, yesterday, Olarenwaju challenged the former governor to provide concrete evidence to support his claim.

Olarenwaju said: “He who makes an allegation must provide evidence. Let him produce proof for what he claims. It is important to note that Fayose lacks credibility; even his family has denounced him. What credibility does he have? Such a person speaks ordinarily, and we should not pay attention. But if he has made a claim, let him substantiate it.”

The Chief Press Secretary was responding to comments made by Fayose during a programme on TVC on Friday, where the former Ekiti governor accused Makinde of failing to disclose an alleged N50 billion support package from the presidency.

Fayose had claimed that although the money was not paid directly into the Oyo State government’s accounts, it was connected to Makinde’s visit to President Tinubu.

“You did not tell Nigerians you got, at the prerogative, at the mercy of Mr President, you got N50 billion in support of the explosion in Ibadan.”
“He never said that to Nigeria. So, the president can say the explosion is not worth more than N10 billion,” Fayose said.
He further alleged: “The N50 billion did not come into the coffers of Oyo State. It came with you coming to interface with the president because you came and said you met with the president.”
Continuing, Fayose added: “You only said a part where you said the president told you that ‘go and organise APC (All Progressives Congress) for me and I said I cannot organise.’ But you did not tell Nigerians what the president did for you and did for the good people of your state.”
However, when asked whether there was any truth to Fayose’s assertion or whether any donation was made, Olarenwaju dismissed the allegation outright.
He said: “There is no substance whatsoever. Did the President say anything of the sort? Did the federal government make such a statement? If neither the President nor the federal government said so, who is Fayose to claim it? There was no fifty billion naira donation.”