Return FG’s N30bn With Interest If It Wasn’t Spent, Fayose Tells Makinde

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has called on Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, to return the N30 billion released by the Federal Government as an intervention fund for the January 16, 2024 Bodija explosion in Ibadan, since the governor reportedly admitted that the money was not spent.

Fayose said it was surprising that Governor Makinde failed to inform the people of Oyo State about the N30 billion he acknowledged receiving — as well as the remaining N20 billion — until Fayose raised concerns about the total N50 billion intervention fund.

In a statement issued on Thursday by his spokesperson, Femi Philips, Fayose said:
“Since Governor Makinde has now said that he kept the N30 billion he admitted to have received in a bank since 2024, Oyo State Government should return the money to the Federal Government so it can be used for the people for which the money was meant.

“After all, the Federal Government has mechanisms to reach victims of the explosion since their Governor has chosen to play politics with their welfare.”

Fayose further argued that keeping the money idle in a bank for about 18 months would have yielded significant interest.

“N30 billion in a bank for 18 months would have generated at least, N4.5 billion at 10 percent interest.

“Therefore, Governor Makinde must return not less than N34.5 billion to the Federal Government,” he said.

Emphasising the need for transparency and accountability in public office, Fayose said he was compelled to speak out in order to expose what he described as hypocrisy on the part of the Oyo State governor.

“If he hadn’t gone on national television to disclose what happened in a meeting with the President, and concealed the fact that he requested for N50 billion intervention fund for the explosion victims from the President, and the request was granted, there wouldn’t have been any reason to talk.

“But you can’t tell the public what favours you about a meeting and keep the ones that should favour the other parties. As a Yoruba man we will not allow you to destroy the President’s name and image because of inordinate Presidential ambition,” Fayose said.

Opinion Nigeria News