Makinde’s Aide Dismisses ₦50bn Allegation as False, Politically Motivated

The Special Adviser on Media to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Dr. Sulaiman Olanrewaju, has dismissed claims by former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, that Makinde received ₦50 billion from the Federal Government and allegedly concealed it to finance a presidential ambition.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Olanrewaju described the allegation as “misleading and deliberately disingenuous,” insisting that it was politically motivated.

He clarified that the ₦50 billion being referenced was a pledged support fund following the January 2024 Bodija explosion in Ibadan. According to him, the Federal Government only released ₦30 billion, while the remaining ₦20 billion was withheld after the state allegedly refused to accede to demands for inducement.

“The matter is not about promises; it is about accountability for what was released,” Olanrewaju stated, explaining that the ₦30 billion received was transparently utilised. He noted that ₦4.5 billion was directly disbursed to victims, while the rest was invested in rebuilding efforts, road rehabilitation, security enhancement, and memorial projects for the affected community.

He further alleged that recent political attacks on Governor Makinde were in retaliation for his declaration that he would not support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, despite backing him in 2023.

“These actions are not driven by principle; they are driven by desperation,” he said, accusing political actors of attempting to manipulate the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) structure in Oyo State.

Olanrewaju urged Nigerians to assess Governor Makinde based on facts and performance rather than what he termed “half-truths and political mischief.”

“Governor Makinde has made his stand clear. He will not yield to coercion or intimidation. If he has to stand alone, he will, but he is not alone,” he added.