The special adviser to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju, has dismissed former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose’s claim that the Federal Government handed N50 billion to Makinde as “misleading” and “deliberately disingenuous”.
Olanrewaju stated that the Federal Government did not give Makinde N50 billion, and Fayose failed to provide evidence of the disbursement. He explained that the memo shared by Fayose showed a request and a promise, not a disbursement.
According to Olanrewaju, President Bola Tinubu promised N50 billion support package after the January 2024 Bodija explosion until Makinde travelled to Abuja with a comprehensive report and formal request for support. Only N30 billion was released, accompanied by demands for inducements, which Makinde refused.
Olanrewaju emphasized that Makinde had acknowledged Federal Government support during the inauguration of a transparent committee overseeing relief funds disbursement. The committee ensured accountability, compassion, and proper use of funds, with N4.5 billion transferred directly to victims as immediate support.
The statement questioned why the narrative was being distorted now, citing Makinde’s recent declaration that he wouldn’t support President Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027 as the reason for the “political hostilities”.
Olanrewaju described the actions as “desperation” and “political mischief”, stating that Makinde’s mandate is rooted in performance, credibility, and trust of Oyo State people, not “backroom theatrics or manufactured outrage”.
The statement concluded that “truth does not need protection. It only needs to be told, fully, clearly, and without fear”..
