Return the N30bn with Interest, Fayose Tells Makinde Over Unspent Relief Fund

Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has demanded that Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde refund N30 billion in federal intervention funds allocated for victims of the 2024 Bodija explosion, along with accrued interest, following Makinde’s admission that the money had been kept in a bank rather than spent.

Fayose’s call comes after Governor Makinde recently confirmed receiving N30 billion from the federal government—a fact Fayose claims was never disclosed to the people of Oyo State until he publicly raised the issue.

In a statement issued on Thursday by his spokesperson, Femi Philips, Fayose argued that since the governor had chosen not to deploy the funds, they should be returned to the federal government so they could be channeled directly to the intended beneficiaries.

“If Governor Makinde has kept N30 billion in a bank since 2024, as he now admits, that money should be sent back to the federal government immediately,” Fayose said. “There are mechanisms through which the FG can reach and assist the victims directly, especially since their own governor has opted to play politics with their welfare.”

Fayose also insisted that interest accrued on the fund should be part of the refund. According to him, N30 billion kept in a bank for 18 months at a conservative interest rate of 10% would have yielded about N4.5 billion.

“Therefore, Governor Makinde must return not less than N34.5 billion to the federal government,” he stated.

The former governor described his decision to expose the fund as a matter of accountability and transparency, accusing Makinde of hypocrisy for publicly discussing parts of his meeting with the President while concealing the financial intervention.

“If he had not gone on national television to disclose selective details from his meeting with the President—while hiding the fact that he requested and was granted N50 billion in intervention funds—I would have kept quiet,” Fayose said.

He added: “But you cannot reveal only what favours you and hide what should benefit others. As a Yoruba man, we will not allow anyone to tarnish the President’s name and image because of inordinate political ambition.”

The N50 billion intervention fund had earlier been brought to public attention by Fayose, who alleged that Makinde sought and obtained the amount following the January 16, 2024 explosion in Ibadan.

Makinde later confirmed receiving N30 billion, stating the balance was still being processed, but maintained the funds were being “secured” for proper use—an explanation Fayose has now challenged as insufficient and untransparent.