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Features
Controversy surrounds ₦50 Billion federal aid for Ibadan explosion victims
Written By: Editor
28 Dec 2025 06:34 PM
A fresh political storm has brewed in Nigeria's southwest region following accusations that Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde received but failed to disclose ₦50 billion in federal intervention funds intended for victims of the January 2024 Bodija explosion in Ibadan.
The claims, spearheaded by former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, have sparked demands for transparency from civic groups and online commentators, with Makinde vehemently denying the allegations and challenging accusers to provide concrete evidence.
The controversy gained traction on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday when the civic technology platform MonITNG posted a detailed thread tagging Governor Makinde and calling for accountability.
In the post, MonITNG highlighted a leaked document purportedly from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, dated August 29, 2024, which lists Oyo State's request for ₦50 billion to support reconstruction and aid for those affected by the Bodija blast.
The group emphasized that the issue transcends politics, urging Makinde to release official records, payment schedules, and breakdowns of any funds received.
"This is about public money, public records, and public trust," the post stated, noting that only ₦4.5 billion has reportedly been disbursed to victims so far.
The document in question, attached as an image in the MonITNG post, is a memo from Accountant-General Oluwatoyin Madein to the Minister of Finance, detailing various state requests for special intervention funds totaling ₦19.5 trillion.
It explains that due to a "very low cash position" in special accounts, most requests could not be fulfilled in the first quarter of the year. However, it notes that ₦450.7 billion was disbursed, leaving an outstanding balance of ₦464.7 billion.
Oyo State's ₦50 billion request for "intervention funding support for the reconstruction of Old Bodija and Environs after Bodija Explosion" appears as the first item in the attached schedule, though the full appendix is not visible in the shared image.
The allegations originated from Fayose, who claimed during a TV interview on December 26 that President Bola Tinubu provided the ₦50 billion directly to Makinde to aid recovery efforts, but the funds did not enter Oyo State's official coffers and were not publicly acknowledged.
Fayose accused Makinde of concealing the support while criticizing the federal government, suggesting the money was diverted toward Makinde's rumored presidential ambitions.
In response, Makinde dismissed the claims as baseless, daring Fayose to produce proof and stating there is "no official record" of such a payment.
On December 28, Fayose escalated the matter by sharing the same Accountant-General's memo on social media, presenting it as "evidence" of the transaction and challenging Makinde to sue him.
He reiterated that only ₦4.5 billion reached victims, alleging the rest was misused.
Critics, however, point out that the document appears to confirm a request rather than a confirmed receipt or disbursement specifically for Oyo State.
The incident at the heart of the dispute occurred on January 16, 2024, when a massive explosion rocked the Bodija area of Ibadan, Oyo State's capital. Caused by illegally stored mining explosives, the blast killed at least five people, injured 77 others, and damaged over 50 homes and structures.
Governor Makinde quickly mobilized state resources, providing emergency aid, temporary housing, and medical support to victims. The state government initially committed ₦1 billion from its own funds, though the process has faced criticism for delays and alleged sabotage.
One year later, some victims report that promised full compensation remains unfulfilled, adding fuel to the current controversy.
This feud unfolds amid broader tensions within the People's Democratic Party (PDP), where Makinde has been vocal against President Tinubu's administration.
Fayose, a former PDP governor, has framed the accusations as exposing hypocrisy, while Makinde's supporters view it as political sabotage.
Civic advocates like MonITNG argue that regardless of politics, transparency is essential, calling for the release of all related federal and state records.
As of this report, neither the federal government nor the Accountant-General's office has commented on the leaked document's authenticity or the status of the funds.
Oyo State officials have reiterated that no ₦50 billion was received, emphasizing that any federal support would have been publicly documented.
This story highlights ongoing challenges in Nigeria's federal-state financial relations and the public's growing demand for accountability in disaster relief funding.
The claims, spearheaded by former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, have sparked demands for transparency from civic groups and online commentators, with Makinde vehemently denying the allegations and challenging accusers to provide concrete evidence.
The controversy gained traction on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday when the civic technology platform MonITNG posted a detailed thread tagging Governor Makinde and calling for accountability.
In the post, MonITNG highlighted a leaked document purportedly from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, dated August 29, 2024, which lists Oyo State's request for ₦50 billion to support reconstruction and aid for those affected by the Bodija blast.
The group emphasized that the issue transcends politics, urging Makinde to release official records, payment schedules, and breakdowns of any funds received.
"This is about public money, public records, and public trust," the post stated, noting that only ₦4.5 billion has reportedly been disbursed to victims so far.
The document in question, attached as an image in the MonITNG post, is a memo from Accountant-General Oluwatoyin Madein to the Minister of Finance, detailing various state requests for special intervention funds totaling ₦19.5 trillion.
It explains that due to a "very low cash position" in special accounts, most requests could not be fulfilled in the first quarter of the year. However, it notes that ₦450.7 billion was disbursed, leaving an outstanding balance of ₦464.7 billion.
Oyo State's ₦50 billion request for "intervention funding support for the reconstruction of Old Bodija and Environs after Bodija Explosion" appears as the first item in the attached schedule, though the full appendix is not visible in the shared image.
The allegations originated from Fayose, who claimed during a TV interview on December 26 that President Bola Tinubu provided the ₦50 billion directly to Makinde to aid recovery efforts, but the funds did not enter Oyo State's official coffers and were not publicly acknowledged.
Fayose accused Makinde of concealing the support while criticizing the federal government, suggesting the money was diverted toward Makinde's rumored presidential ambitions.
In response, Makinde dismissed the claims as baseless, daring Fayose to produce proof and stating there is "no official record" of such a payment.
On December 28, Fayose escalated the matter by sharing the same Accountant-General's memo on social media, presenting it as "evidence" of the transaction and challenging Makinde to sue him.
He reiterated that only ₦4.5 billion reached victims, alleging the rest was misused.
Critics, however, point out that the document appears to confirm a request rather than a confirmed receipt or disbursement specifically for Oyo State.
The incident at the heart of the dispute occurred on January 16, 2024, when a massive explosion rocked the Bodija area of Ibadan, Oyo State's capital. Caused by illegally stored mining explosives, the blast killed at least five people, injured 77 others, and damaged over 50 homes and structures.
Governor Makinde quickly mobilized state resources, providing emergency aid, temporary housing, and medical support to victims. The state government initially committed ₦1 billion from its own funds, though the process has faced criticism for delays and alleged sabotage.
One year later, some victims report that promised full compensation remains unfulfilled, adding fuel to the current controversy.
This feud unfolds amid broader tensions within the People's Democratic Party (PDP), where Makinde has been vocal against President Tinubu's administration.
Fayose, a former PDP governor, has framed the accusations as exposing hypocrisy, while Makinde's supporters view it as political sabotage.
Civic advocates like MonITNG argue that regardless of politics, transparency is essential, calling for the release of all related federal and state records.
As of this report, neither the federal government nor the Accountant-General's office has commented on the leaked document's authenticity or the status of the funds.
Oyo State officials have reiterated that no ₦50 billion was received, emphasizing that any federal support would have been publicly documented.
This story highlights ongoing challenges in Nigeria's federal-state financial relations and the public's growing demand for accountability in disaster relief funding.
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