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Oyo govt defends Bodija explosion funds handling amid political controversy
Written By: Alaba Lambert
01 Jan 2026 03:43 PM
Ibadan, Oyo – The Oyo State Government has issued a detailed press statement addressing allegations surrounding a federal intervention fund allocated for the reconstruction efforts following the devastating Bodija explosion in Ibadan nearly two years ago.
The statement, released on New Year's Day, clarifies that only N30 billion of the approved N50 billion has been received from the Federal Government, with the funds remaining untouched in a dedicated bank account amid ongoing disputes over the outstanding balance.
The announcement comes in response to recent claims by former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, who publicly released documents suggesting that the full N50 billion had been disbursed to Oyo State.
Fayose's actions have ignited a political firestorm, with accusations of mismanagement leveled against Governor Seyi Makinde, framing the issue as a potential battleground for the 2027 elections.
The explosion occurred on January 16, 2024, in the Bodija area of Ibadan, caused by illegally stored explosives. It resulted in at least five deaths, numerous injuries, and extensive damage to residential properties and infrastructure.
In the immediate aftermath, Governor Makinde requested N100 billion in federal assistance to cover search-and-rescue operations, medical care, property compensation, and reconstruction.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved N50 billion for the purpose, but according to the Oyo State Government, only N30 billion was released via the Central Bank of Nigeria on November 4, 2024. The funds were deposited into a special Oyo State Government Infrastructure Support Account (No. 2045199879) at First Bank of Nigeria.
The state emphasized that this amount has not been utilized, citing the withholding of the remaining N20 billion by federal agencies without explanation.
In the press statement signed by Commissioners Musibau Babatunde (Budget and Economic Planning) and Dotun Oyelade (Information), the government detailed its own expenditures:
N24.6 billion from state resources, including N20.141 billion on infrastructure reconstruction and N4.085 billion in direct support and compensation to victims.
This spending occurred prior to the federal release, underscoring the state's proactive response.
The statement also referenced a broader federal intervention fund totaling N915.5 billion distributed nationwide, noting that Oyo received one of the lowest allocations despite the severity of the disaster. Other South-West states reportedly received up to N150 billion.
The controversy escalated after Fayose, described in the statement as a "political agent of the Federal Government," leaked a memo from the Accountant General of the Federation dated August 29, 2024, claiming the full N50 billion had been allocated.
Oyo officials dismissed this as misleading, asserting that no evidence of full disbursement was provided.
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike also weighed in, accusing Makinde of ingratitude and demanding accountability for the funds, linking the dispute to broader PDP internal rivalries and Makinde's alleged bitterness over federal appointments.
Opposition parties have seized on the issue. The Oyo chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) demanded an immediate accounting of the N30 billion, while the All Progressives Congress (APC) called for Makinde's resignation if he cannot explain the funds' use.
The African Action Congress (AAC) echoed calls for transparency, questioning the distribution of N4.5 billion in victim relief amid claims of larger federal support.
This saga highlights tensions between state and federal governments over disaster relief, with Oyo urging the release of the N20 billion to fully address lingering needs. It also underscores transparency issues in fund management, as special interventions are treated as capital grants subject to budgeting but not always publicly announced.
As Nigeria grapples with economic challenges, the dispute could influence public trust in leadership ahead of 2027.
Governor Makinde's administration reiterated its commitment to accountability, wishing residents a prosperous year while vowing to pursue the withheld funds.
The statement, released on New Year's Day, clarifies that only N30 billion of the approved N50 billion has been received from the Federal Government, with the funds remaining untouched in a dedicated bank account amid ongoing disputes over the outstanding balance.
The announcement comes in response to recent claims by former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, who publicly released documents suggesting that the full N50 billion had been disbursed to Oyo State.
Fayose's actions have ignited a political firestorm, with accusations of mismanagement leveled against Governor Seyi Makinde, framing the issue as a potential battleground for the 2027 elections.
The explosion occurred on January 16, 2024, in the Bodija area of Ibadan, caused by illegally stored explosives. It resulted in at least five deaths, numerous injuries, and extensive damage to residential properties and infrastructure.
In the immediate aftermath, Governor Makinde requested N100 billion in federal assistance to cover search-and-rescue operations, medical care, property compensation, and reconstruction.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved N50 billion for the purpose, but according to the Oyo State Government, only N30 billion was released via the Central Bank of Nigeria on November 4, 2024. The funds were deposited into a special Oyo State Government Infrastructure Support Account (No. 2045199879) at First Bank of Nigeria.
The state emphasized that this amount has not been utilized, citing the withholding of the remaining N20 billion by federal agencies without explanation.
In the press statement signed by Commissioners Musibau Babatunde (Budget and Economic Planning) and Dotun Oyelade (Information), the government detailed its own expenditures:
N24.6 billion from state resources, including N20.141 billion on infrastructure reconstruction and N4.085 billion in direct support and compensation to victims.
This spending occurred prior to the federal release, underscoring the state's proactive response.
The statement also referenced a broader federal intervention fund totaling N915.5 billion distributed nationwide, noting that Oyo received one of the lowest allocations despite the severity of the disaster. Other South-West states reportedly received up to N150 billion.
The controversy escalated after Fayose, described in the statement as a "political agent of the Federal Government," leaked a memo from the Accountant General of the Federation dated August 29, 2024, claiming the full N50 billion had been allocated.
Oyo officials dismissed this as misleading, asserting that no evidence of full disbursement was provided.
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike also weighed in, accusing Makinde of ingratitude and demanding accountability for the funds, linking the dispute to broader PDP internal rivalries and Makinde's alleged bitterness over federal appointments.
Opposition parties have seized on the issue. The Oyo chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) demanded an immediate accounting of the N30 billion, while the All Progressives Congress (APC) called for Makinde's resignation if he cannot explain the funds' use.
The African Action Congress (AAC) echoed calls for transparency, questioning the distribution of N4.5 billion in victim relief amid claims of larger federal support.
This saga highlights tensions between state and federal governments over disaster relief, with Oyo urging the release of the N20 billion to fully address lingering needs. It also underscores transparency issues in fund management, as special interventions are treated as capital grants subject to budgeting but not always publicly announced.
As Nigeria grapples with economic challenges, the dispute could influence public trust in leadership ahead of 2027.
Governor Makinde's administration reiterated its commitment to accountability, wishing residents a prosperous year while vowing to pursue the withheld funds.
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