A Peoples Democratic Party group in Oyo State, Oyo PDP-Visionaries, has berated former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, over his claim that Governor Seyi Makinde received N50bn from the Federal Government as relief funds for victims of the January 2024 Bodija explosion, describing the allegation as misleading and unfounded.
The group stated this in a statement authorised by its coordinator, Qudus Olayide, and made available to journalists in Ibadan, the state capital, on Sunday.
Fayose, during a live interview aired on a Lagos-based private television station on Friday, alleged that Governor Seyi Makinde received N50bn on behalf of victims of the Bodija explosion when he visited President Bola Tinubu to brief him on the incident.
He further alleged that Makinde failed to either acknowledge receipt of the said amount or utilise it to provide succour to those who lost their lives and property in the incident.
It would be recalled that a devastating explosion ravaged parts of the Dejo Oyelese/Adeyi Avenue area of Bodija, Ibadan North Local Government Area of Oyo State, in January 2024.
Reacting, Olayide in the statement berated Fayose for allegedly attempting to justify his claim that Makinde received N50bn from the Federal Government by presenting a letter from the Ministry of Finance, which, according to the group, only showed requests from states.
The group stated that while it was shameful for Fayose to allegedly mislead the public to discredit Makinde, it was even more disturbing that he reportedly attempted to pass off a request letter as evidence of approval.
The group challenged Fayose to publish a document showing actual approval of the funds, stressing that not all Nigerians were “dropouts or half-literate” and unable to distinguish between a request and an approval.
“Today, we join the rest of the world to stand against half-education; it is worse than evil. We have seen its effects in society, but its manifestation in the life of a former Ekiti State governor has shown how devastating illiteracy can be,” the statement partly read.
It further alleged that Fayose was motivated by personal interests to attack Makinde and accused him of presenting a request letter as evidence of fund approval.
The group described Fayose as unserious, likening him to a “court jester,” and urged him to desist from further actions that could bring embarrassment to himself and Ekiti State.
“There should be a limit to foolhardiness and shamelessness. Mr Fayose, who governed Ekiti State for two terms, should know the limit before further disgracing himself and the state,” the statement added.
The group also hailed Makinde as a transparent and people-centred leader, warning Fayose against distracting the Oyo State governor with what it described as “low-level, opportunistic politics.”