Ibadan, Oyo - As 2025 draws to a close, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State is under mounting pressure to provide a detailed and transparent account of the federal intervention funds allocated for the relief and rehabilitation efforts following the tragic Bodija explosion in January 2024.

The explosion, which claimed lives, injured numerous individuals, and caused billions of naira in property damage, left a lasting scar on the Ibadan community.

Now, with allegations of mismanagement and withheld funds surfacing, the public is demanding answers directly from the governor.

A recent post on X by MonITNG on Tuesday, has reignited the controversy.

The post included a document purportedly from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, which outlines a request for special intervention funds, mentioning a ₦50 billion allocation, of which only ₦30 billion was reportedly released.

It further alleges that ₦4.5 billion was disbursed to victims, with the remaining funds utilized for rehabilitation projects, though questions persist about the unreleased ₦20 billion.

MonITNG calls on Governor Makinde to address the public directly, criticizing the administration’s inconsistent communication and raising serious allegations of improper inducements from federal actors that may have led to the withholding of the remaining funds.

“This matter is too grave to be handled through intermediaries,” the post asserts, urging the governor to hold a formal press briefing to disclose a detailed breakdown of the funds’ utilization, including contractor details and project statuses.

The controversy has been fueled by conflicting statements.

While the Oyo State Government, through Governor Makinde’s media aide, insists that only ₦30 billion was received and has been transparently allocated partly to victim support and partly to infrastructure repairs, opposition figures, including former Ekiti Governor Ayodele Fayose, have claimed that ₦50 billion was disbursed, accusing Makinde of silence for political gain.

The governor’s administration has refuted these claims, labeling them misleading.

Residents of Bodija acknowledge some progress in reconstruction efforts, including road repairs and a memorial site, yet the lack of a comprehensive financial report has deepened public suspicion.

The MonitNG post emphasizes the need for Makinde, known for his principled governance, to restore trust by addressing the allegations head-on.

“The victims of Bodija, the people of Oyo State, and Nigerian taxpayers deserve full disclosure and straight talk from their governor,” it concludes.

As the year ends, all eyes are on Government House in Ibadan.

Will Governor Makinde step forward to clarify the situation, or will the unresolved questions continue to erode public confidence? History, as the post notes, is watching.