By David Adeoye
Ibadan, Dec. 29, 2025 (NAN)
The Oyo State Government has provided a detailed account of federal relief funds received following the tragic January 2024 Bodija explosion, directly countering allegations of financial impropriety.
Dr. Suleimon Olanrewaju, Special Adviser on Media to Governor Seyi Makinde, issued a comprehensive statement clarifying that the state received N30 billion—not the N50 billion alleged by former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose. This rebuttal addresses a growing public controversy over the management of disaster relief funds, a sensitive issue in Nigerian governance where transparency in federal allocations is often scrutinized.
From Promise to Partial Disbursement: Unpacking the N50bn Figure
Olanrewaju explained that the N50 billion figure originated from a federal promise, not an actual disbursement. “Governor Makinde travelled to Abuja with a comprehensive report and a formal request,” he stated. “The Federal Government promised a N50 billion support package. A promise, however, is not a release.” This distinction is crucial in public finance, where announced support packages and actual cash transfers often differ significantly due to bureaucratic and budgetary processes.
The aide challenged critics to provide evidence of the full N50 billion disbursement, noting that the memo shared by Fayose “shows what was not disbursed.”
Allegations of Withheld Funds and “Inducements”
In a significant revelation, Olanrewaju alleged that the withholding of the remaining N20 billion was a direct result of Governor Makinde’s refusal to comply with demands for “inducements” tied to the balance. This claim, if substantiated, points to deeper systemic issues of graft and conditional access to disaster relief—a serious charge that reframes the narrative from one of gubernatorial secrecy to one of resisted coercion.
“The partial release was accompanied by demands for inducements,” Olanrewaju stated, framing the governor’s silence not as a political strategy but as a stance against corruption.
Mechanisms for Accountability: The Disbursement Committee
To manage the N30 billion received, the state government established a transparent committee to oversee disbursement. This structure is a recognized best practice in post-disaster fund management, designed to prevent mismanagement and build public trust.
The committee’s work, according to the aide, ensured “accountability, compassion, and proper use” of the funds through a two-pronged approach:
- Direct Victim Support: A portion of the funds (the N4.5 billion often publicly cited by the state) was transferred directly to affected individuals and families for immediate relief.
- Infrastructure and Systemic Repair: The remainder was deployed for large-scale recovery efforts, including:
- Repair of roads within the affected axis.
- Ongoing reconstruction of damaged properties.
- Development of upgraded policies and security architecture to prevent future incidents.
- Plans for a memorial at “ground zero” to honour the lives lost.
“A visit to the affected areas will show the reconstruction being done,” Olanrewaju asserted, inviting physical verification of the fund’s application.
Context and Implications
This detailed accounting serves multiple purposes: it defends the governor against specific allegations, attempts to shift blame to the federal level for the shortfall, and showcases a framework of accountability. In the often-opaque world of Nigerian inter-governmental finances, such a public and itemized rebuttal is noteworthy. It places the Oyo State government’s actions within a narrative of resistance to corruption and structured transparency, while raising serious questions about the conditions attached to federal disaster support.
The statement concludes by reaffirming the governor’s earlier public acknowledgment of federal support during the committee’s inauguration, attempting to balance gratitude with a defense of his administration’s integrity.
(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
DAK/IS
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Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz
