The Chief Press Secretary to Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, Mr. Sulaimon Olarenwaju, has rejected claims by former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, that President Bola Tinubu donated ₦50 billion to the Oyo State Government following the January 2024 Ibadan explosion.
The Ibadan blast, which occurred at Adeyi Avenue in January 2024, claimed five lives, injured 77 persons, and destroyed about 55 houses. Governor Makinde had subsequently visited the Presidential Villa on January 22 to brief President Tinubu on the incident and submit an official report.
Speaking in a telephone interview on Saturday, Olarenwaju challenged Fayose to substantiate his allegation, insisting that no such financial support was received by the state.
“He who makes an allegation must provide proof. There is absolutely no evidence that ₦50 billion was donated. Neither the President nor the Federal Government has made such a claim,” Olarenwaju said.
He described Fayose’s comments as baseless, adding that the former governor lacked the credibility to make such allegations without evidence.
Fayose had earlier alleged during a television interview that President Tinubu provided ₦50 billion to Governor Makinde as support following the explosion, claiming the funds were not paid directly into the state’s treasury but were linked to Makinde’s visit to the President.
Responding to the allegation, Olarenwaju maintained that there was “no substance whatsoever” to the claim, stressing that no official communication or record supports Fayose’s assertion.
The controversy comes amid internal divisions within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with Fayose aligning himself with the faction loyal to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, while Governor Makinde belongs to the rival faction led by Kabiru Turaki.
The development has further intensified political tensions within the PDP as debates continue over party loyalty, transparency, and governance ahead of the 2027 general elections.
