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‘Makinde got no N50bn from FG, only N30bn released’ – Aide
Published
4 months agoon
By
Mega Icon
The Oyo State Government has dismissed claims by a former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, that Governor Seyi Makinde received N50bn from the Federal Government in the aftermath of the January 2024 Bodija explosion.
The Special Adviser on Media to the Governor, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, described the allegation as misleading and deliberately disingenuous, insisting that no such amount was ever disbursed to the state.
According to information scooped from The Nation newspaper by Mega Icon Magazine, Olanrewaju also rejected insinuations that Makinde deliberately kept silent over the alleged funds in order to stash the money to support a future presidential ambition.
Speaking on the controversy, the governor’s aide said the Federal Government did not release N50bn to Oyo State, noting that this was why Fayose was unable to provide evidence of disbursement when challenged.
“Recent comments attributed to former Governor Ayodele Fayose, alleging that the Federal Government handed N50bn to Seyi Makinde and that the governor chose to stay silent while saving up the money to support his presidential ambition are not only misleading, they are deliberately disingenuous,” Olanrewaju said.
“Let us be clear from the outset. The Federal Government did not give Governor Makinde N50bn. This is why Fayose was unable to provide evidence to show the disbursement when asked to do so. In fact, the memo he shared shows what was not disbursed.”
He clarified that what existed was a request and a promise of support, not a full release of the N50bn often quoted in public discourse.
According to him, following the tragic January 2024 explosion in Bodija, which claimed lives, destroyed homes and traumatised residents, President Bola Tinubu did not visit Oyo State, prompting Governor Makinde to travel to Abuja with a detailed report of the incident and a formal request for Federal Government intervention.
He explained that while the Federal Government promised a N50bn support package after the engagement, only N30bn was eventually released.
“A promise, however, is not a release. When it was time to act, only N30bn was released. This partial release was accompanied by demands for inducements tied to the disbursement of the balance. Governor Makinde refused. As a result, the remaining N20bn was withheld,” Olanrewaju stated.
He argued that it would have been inappropriate for the governor to publicly litigate negotiations around a national tragedy, stressing that what mattered was how the funds released were utilised.
Olanrewaju said Makinde acknowledged Federal Government support during the inauguration of a transparent committee set up to oversee the disbursement of relief funds, adding that the committee ensured accountability and proper utilisation of the money.
He disclosed that part of the N30bn released was transferred directly to victims as immediate support, while the remaining funds were deployed for rebuilding and restoration.
“Roads within the affected axis were repaired, reconstruction is ongoing, and a planned memorial at ground zero will honour the lives lost. Policies and security architecture have also been upgraded to ensure that such an incident does not recur in Oyo State,” he said.
The media aide also clarified that the N4.5bn often cited by the state government referred to direct financial support given to victims, representing about 15 per cent of the total funds released.
“Governor Makinde found a way of giving 15 per cent back to landlords and even tenants as direct support in his usual show of empathy, while also ensuring that government carried out necessary interventions,” he added.
Olanrewaju linked the renewed controversy to recent political developments, noting that Makinde had openly declared during a media chat that he would not support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
He said the declaration, which followed Makinde’s admission that he regretted supporting Tinubu in 2023, had triggered political hostilities against the governor.
According to him, attempts to portray Makinde as dishonest or ungrateful were driven by desperation and political mischief.
“Half-truths and outright falsehoods may offer temporary comfort to those who trade in political mischief, but they always collapse under the weight of facts,” Olanrewaju said.
He added that Makinde remained resolute in defending democratic principles, insisting that truth did not need protection, but only to be told fully, clearly and without fear.
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Iran War Disrupts Oil Supply, Global Loss Hits $50bn
Published
5 days agoon
April 18, 2026By
Mega IconThe global oil market has recorded losses exceeding $50bn following massive supply disruptions triggered by the ongoing Iran war, which has now stretched to nearly 50 days.
Data from energy analytics firm Kpler showed that more than 500 million barrels of crude oil and condensate have been wiped off the global market since the crisis began in late February, making it the largest energy supply disruption in modern history.
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi, on Friday said the Strait of Hormuz had been reopened after a ceasefire agreement reached in Lebanon.
However, tensions escalated again on Saturday as Tehran warned it could shut the strategic waterway if the United States sustains its blockade of Iranian ports.
Also, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed optimism that a deal to end the conflict could be reached “soon,” although he did not provide a definite timeline.
Analysts warned that the scale of disruption could have prolonged effects on global energy stability, with shocks expected to linger for months or even years.
Providing context, Principal Analyst at Wood Mackenzie, Iain Mowat, said the 500 million barrels lost is equivalent to grounding global aviation demand for 10 weeks, halting all road transport worldwide for 11 days, or shutting down the entire global oil supply for five days.
Further estimates showed that the lost volume is nearly equal to one month of oil demand in the United States or more than a month’s supply for Europe. It also represents about six years of fuel consumption by the U.S. military and could power global shipping activities for approximately four months.
The crisis has significantly affected oil-producing nations in the Gulf, with output losses reaching about eight million barrels per day in March—roughly equivalent to the combined production of two of the world’s largest oil companies.
Jet fuel exports from major producers, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman, dropped sharply from 19.6 million barrels in February to just 4.1 million barrels recorded across March and April combined. Analysts said the shortfall could have powered about 20,000 round-trip international flights.
With crude prices averaging around $100 per barrel since the onset of the conflict, the lost volumes translate to an estimated $50bn in revenue. Experts noted that this figure is equivalent to about one per cent of Germany’s annual Gross Domestic Product, or roughly the size of the economies of smaller European countries.
Meanwhile, global onshore crude inventories have declined by about 45 million barrels in April alone, while total production outages have risen to approximately 12 million barrels per day since late March.
Industry experts cautioned that unless a lasting resolution is reached, the disruption could intensify volatility in global oil markets, worsen inflationary pressures, and further strain fragile economies worldwide.
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Oseni Secures Prestigious City People Political Award Nomination
Published
1 week agoon
April 16, 2026By
Mega IconA member of the House of Representatives representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency and Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, Aderemi Oseni, has been nominated for a Special Award in Politics at the 2026 City People Political Awards.
The nomination was conveyed in a letter dated April 13, 2026, signed by the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of City People Magazine, Seye Kehinde.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued by Oseni’s media aide, Idowu Ayodele, and made available to journalists in Ibadan on Thursday.
According to the statement, the lawmaker earned the nomination in recognition of his “outstanding contributions to politics in Oyo State, particularly in Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency.”
The organisers noted that Oseni emerged as a nominee following a comprehensive review of performances across sectors by the award’s selection committee.
Part of the letter read, “Having performed creditably well in your sector last year, the Organising Committee presented you as a nominee in your sector.”
The award ceremony is scheduled to hold on Sunday, May 3, 2026, at Etal Hall, Kudirat Abiola Way, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos, at 4pm.
The City People Awards is an annual event that recognises individuals who have distinguished themselves in governance, public service and other sectors of national development.
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Kaduna Electric to prosecute, expose attackers of staff
Published
1 week agoon
April 16, 2026By
Mega IconThe Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company has announced a crackdown on individuals who assault its staff, warning that offenders will face prosecution and public exposure.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the company expressed concern over what it described as a “disturbing surge” in attacks on its field workers and third-party partners.
It noted that the affected personnel were mainly engaged in meter installation, revenue collection and maintenance of electricity infrastructure.
According to the firm, the increasing cases of harassment, physical assault and unlawful detention of its workers pose a serious threat to employee safety and the stability of electricity service delivery across its franchise areas.
The Deputy Managing Director, Abubakar Mohammed, said the company would no longer tolerate any form of aggression against its workforce.
“Let this serve as a clear warning to anyone who engages in the assault of our staff. Kaduna Electric will pursue every case to its logical conclusion,” he said.
“We will work closely with security agencies to ensure offenders are brought to justice and face the full weight of the law,” Mohammed added.
He further disclosed that the company would publicly reveal the identities of individuals found culpable.
According to him, names, photographs and other details of offenders would be published on the company’s official platforms as well as in national and local media.
“This measure is intended to ensure accountability and serve as a strong deterrent. Anyone who chooses to attack our personnel should be prepared not only to face prosecution but also public exposure,” he added.
The company stressed that assaults on utility workers attract serious legal and financial consequences, noting that offenders risk criminal charges that may lead to fines or imprisonment.
It added that perpetrators could also face civil liabilities, including compensation for medical treatment, psychological trauma and loss of work hours.
While condemning the attacks, Kaduna Electric urged customers to adopt peaceful and lawful means of resolving disputes.
It advised aggrieved customers to channel complaints through its customer service units or appropriate regulatory bodies.
The management reaffirmed its commitment to protecting its workforce and partners, stressing that a safe working environment is essential for delivering reliable and efficient electricity services.
Although disputes between electricity providers and consumers are often linked to billing issues, metering challenges and service delivery concerns, the company maintained that such matters must be resolved through dialogue, insisting that violence against its staff will no longer be tolerated.
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