Former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has reignited political tensions with a controversial claim that Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde received ₦50 billion from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the aftermath of the dreaded Ibadan explosion, allegations that have drawn sharp reactions across party lines.
Fayose made the allegation during a guest appearance on TVC’s “Journalists Hangout” programme on Friday, December 26, 2025, where he criticised what he described as Makinde’s lack of transparency in disclosing the financial support allegedly provided by the presidency following the tragic blast that devastated parts of Ibadan earlier this year.
Speaking with the media team, Fayose directly challenged the Oyo governor’s public handling of the explosion response.
“The president of Nigeria, yes, he wanted the sitting, he wanted the minister to be appointed. Circumstances did not allow him to get that slot,” Fayose said, referencing broader political dynamics between Tinubu and Makinde.
He then turned to what he called “undisclosed support”.
He said, “But you did not tell Nigerians you got, at the prerogative, at the mercy of Mr President, you got 50 billion Naira 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 10 billion.”
Fayose went on to insist that the ₦50 billion did not flow directly into the Oyo State coffers but instead was linked to Makinde’s engagement with the presidency.
“The 50 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,” he claimed.
The allegation comes amid a backdrop of growing friction within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), particularly among governors in the South-West who were once aligned with President Tinubu during the 2023 elections, a group widely referred to as the G-5.
Oyo State has been under the leadership of Makinde, the PDP governor, since 2019. The Ibadan explosion, widely attributed by authorities to illegally stored explosive devices in the Bodija area, led to widespread destruction, dozens of injuries and heightened scrutiny of safety practices in urban settings.
While President Tinubu and federal authorities provided emergency assistance and directed relief efforts through agencies such as the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) during the original crisis, there has been no independent confirmation that the federal government provided Makinde with the specific ₦50 billion figure cited by Fayose.
Fayose’s comments quickly drew attention on social media and among political watchers, with some commentators demanding evidence for the ₦50 billion claim, while others accused the former governor of seeking to inflame factional divisions within the PDP.
As of Saturday morning, neither Governor Makinde nor the Oyo State government had issued a formal response to Fayose’s allegations. Additionally, the Federal Government has not publicly acknowledged the specific amount referenced by Fayose in relation to post-explosion support.
Political analysts say the controversy could shape narratives ahead of 2027 national elections, especially as the PDP grapples with internal unity and public confidence. For now, Fayose’s claims underline ongoing debates about federal-state relations, disaster financing, and political accountability in Nigeria’s volatile political landscape.
