In a dramatic escalation of a political feud, former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has released documents he claims are proof that Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde received N50 billion in federal emergency support and diverted the majority of the funds for a presidential campaign.
The allegation centers on funds reportedly approved by President Bola Tinubu's administration following the catastrophic Ibadan explosion in January 2024, which caused widespread damage and loss of life. Governor Makinde had previously denied receiving any such N50 billion payment and publicly challenged Fayose to provide evidence.
"I don't say what I can't prove"
In a signed statement released on Saturday, Fayose responded by publishing what he presented as documentary evidence. He alleges that of the total N50 billion, only N4.5 billion was disbursed to victims of the explosion. The balance, according to Fayose, was redirected to finance Governor Makinde's rumored presidential ambitions, a move he claims is at the root of the ongoing crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
"Rather, he diverted this fund and many others to his Presidential ambition, which is the reason for the crisis in the PDP and his attacks on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his government," Fayose stated.
Broader Claims and a Legal Dare
Fayose expanded his accusations beyond the emergency funds, alleging he possesses further evidence of undisclosed financial support from the federal government to Oyo State. He also claimed to have documents revealing the state's true Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), which he says contradicts the figures publicly announced by Governor Makinde's administration.
The former governor ended his statement with a direct challenge, daring Makinde to take legal action. "My name is still Ayo Fayose, I don’t say what I can’t prove," he declared, adding that he is keeping more evidence in reserve, stating, "we will keep our gunpowder dry for now."
As of now, Governor Seyi Makinde's office has yet to issue an official response to the newly published documents. The allegations, if unaddressed, threaten to intensify internal PDP conflicts and raise serious questions about the management of disaster relief funds, placing both state and federal officials under heightened public scrutiny.
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