APC, PDP Clash Over N50 Billion Ibadan Explosion Relief Fund Utilisation

The political tension in Oyo State has intensified as the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday demanded that Governor Seyi Makinde provide a detailed account of how he managed the N50 billion relief fund allegedly received from President Bola Tinubu. The fund was intended to assist victims of the catastrophic explosion that devastated parts of Bodija GRA in Ibadan in January 2024. APC went further to assert that Governor Makinde should resign if he fails to account for the funds.

The controversy resurfaced after former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, claimed during a live broadcast on Friday that Governor Makinde collected the N50 billion from President Tinubu to support those affected by the tragic incident. According to Fayose, Makinde neither acknowledged the receipt of the funds publicly nor utilised them to aid victims who lost lives and properties.

Oyo APC, through its Publicity Secretary Olawale Sadare, condemned Governor Makinde for making disparaging comments about President Tinubu and his Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu. During a recent media engagement, Makinde reportedly criticized the President for allegedly requesting that he organise the APC in the state and accused the Minister of Power of lacking capacity to deliver on his mandate.

In response, Fayose released official documents to substantiate his claims, revealing that the N50 billion was approved as emergency financial support after the deadly explosion. Makinde had previously denied these allegations, challenging Fayose to provide proof of the funds’ disbursement.

The released documents suggest that only N4.5 billion of the relief fund was distributed to the victims of the Bodija GRA explosion, while the remaining money was allegedly diverted to support Governor Makinde’s purported political ambitions, including plans for a presidential run. Fayose stated that he made the documents public to enable Nigerians to independently assess the credibility of the Oyo State government. He also invited Makinde to pursue legal action against him, maintaining that other financial aid sent by the Tinubu administration to Oyo State had not been publicly disclosed.

However, the debate has also drawn reactions from within Governor Makinde’s party. A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, known as the Oyo PDP-Visionaries, criticized Fayose, labeling him “a disgrace to public service for failing to distinguish between a request and an approval.”

The group issued a statement after Fayose published a letter allegedly showing Oyo State’s request for N50 billion for the reconstruction of the Dejo Oyelese/Adeyi Avenue area post-explosion. Qudus Olayide, coordinator of the Oyo PDP-Visionaries, criticized Fayose for attempting to justify his previous claims by presenting a Ministry of Finance document that merely reflected the state’s request for funds, not the actual approval or disbursement.

The PDP faction described Fayose’s actions as shameful, stating that his attempt to mislead the public was both demeaning and concerning. They challenged him to release an authentic document showing the federal government’s approval of the N50 billion, insisting that the public deserves transparency regarding how emergency funds are allocated and utilised.

This latest development highlights the ongoing political friction in Oyo State, as both APC and PDP continue to contest the narrative surrounding the relief funds meant for explosion victims. It also underscores broader concerns about accountability, transparency, and governance in the allocation of federal emergency support to states during crises.