A Peoples Democratic Party group in Oyo State, Oyo PDP-Visionaries, has dismissed claims by former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, that Governor Seyi Makinde received N50bn from the Federal Government as relief funds for victims of the January 2024 Bodija explosion.
The group described the allegation as false, misleading and without evidence.
This was contained in a statement authorised by the group’s coordinator, Qudus Olayide, and released to journalists in Ibadan on Sunday.
Fayose had alleged during a live interview on a Lagos-based television station on Friday that Makinde was given N50bn by the Federal Government after visiting President Bola Tinubu to brief him on the deadly Bodija explosion.
He further claimed that the Oyo State governor neither acknowledged receiving the money nor used it to assist victims who lost lives and property in the incident.
Reacting, the PDP group accused Fayose of deliberately misleading the public in an attempt to discredit Makinde.
Olayide said Fayose’s attempt to justify his claim by displaying a letter from the Ministry of Finance was dishonest, noting that the document only showed a request and not an approval.
“It is shameful that a former governor would try to mislead Nigerians by presenting a request letter as proof that funds were approved and released,” the statement said.
The group challenged Fayose to publicly produce any document showing that the N50bn was actually approved and paid to the Oyo State Government.
“Not all Nigerians are dropouts or half-literate. People can clearly tell the difference between a request and an approval,” Olayide said.
In a strongly worded remark, the group added, “Today, we join the rest of the world to stand against half-education; it is worse than evil. Its manifestation in the life of a former Ekiti State governor shows how devastating ignorance can be.”
The group alleged that Fayose’s comments were driven by personal interests and accused him of engaging in what it described as opportunistic politics.
It also warned him against further attempts to distract the Oyo State governor.
“There should be a limit to foolhardiness and shamelessness. Mr Fayose, who governed Ekiti State for two terms, should know when to stop disgracing himself and the state,” the statement said.
Oyo PDP-Visionaries praised Makinde, describing him as a transparent and people-focused leader, and urged him to remain committed to governance rather than being drawn into political distractions.
