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‘Makinde got no N50bn from FG, only N30bn released’ – Aide
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.
The lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Engr. Aderemi Oseni, has mourned the death of a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State and former member of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Akeem Abimbola Oladipupo, popularly known as Able, describing his demise as a painful loss to the progressive family.
Oladipupo, who represented Ibadan North-West Constituency in the Oyo State House of Assembly, was widely regarded as a grassroots politician and committed party loyalist until his passing.
Oseni, who is also the Chairman, House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency and the APC candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, said the late politician’s death had created a vacuum within the party and among those who benefitted from his unwavering commitment to public service.
In a condolence statement issued on Monday by his Media Aide, Idowu Ayodele, and made available to journalists in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, the federal lawmaker described the late Oladipupo as a dependable progressive, humble political actor and loyal party stalwart whose impact would remain indelible.
He said the deceased dedicated his life to serving humanity, strengthening the progressive movement and supporting the aspirations of many at the grassroots.
Oseni said, “The death of Hon. Akeem Abimbola Oladipupo (Able) came to me as a rude shock. Oyo State and the progressive family have indeed lost a committed, loyal and selfless leader whose passion for service, humility and dedication to the people stood him out.
“He was not just a politician but a bridge-builder, a dependable ally and a grassroots mobiliser who believed strongly in the ideals of our great party. His contributions to the growth of the APC in Oyo State and his service to humanity will remain unforgettable.”
The APC senatorial candidate noted that the late former lawmaker remained steadfast in promoting peace, unity and political development, adding that his simplicity and accessibility endeared him to many across political divides.
According to Oseni, the late politician’s legacy of service and sacrifice would continue to inspire younger politicians and party faithful.
He, however, urged members of the APC, associates and family members of the deceased to take solace in the remarkable life he lived and the positive impact he made during his lifetime.
Oseni also prayed for the repose of the deceased’s soul and for God to grant his family the fortitude to bear the painful loss.
State governors have proposed a new national minimum wage of N100,000 for Nigerian workers as part of efforts to cushion them from the biting effects of inflation and the rising cost of living.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, who is also the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), disclosed the proposal on Saturday in a post by the state government’s official Facebook page. He said the move aims to improve workers’ welfare while ensuring that government finances remain sustainable.
“State governments recognise the urgent need to improve workers’ welfare in response to the current economic realities facing Nigerians,” AbdulRazaq said.
“We are actively engaging with the Federal Government and organised labour to arrive at a wage structure that is fair to workers and sustainable for government finances.”
The NGF chairman explained that ongoing discussions are focused on balancing the need to boost workers’ purchasing power with the capacity of governments to deliver essential public services and development projects.
“The goal is to improve the living conditions of workers while ensuring that states can continue to meet their obligations and sustain projects that directly impact citizens,” he added.
The proposed N100,000 minimum wage is expected to intensify national debates on salaries, inflation, and broader economic reforms as Nigerians continue to contend with rising food prices, transportation costs, and other living expenses.
Currently, Nigeria’s statutory minimum wage stands at N70,000 per month. Some states, including Lagos, Rivers, and Imo, are already paying above the national benchmark to support workers amid the country’s economic challenges.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has continued to call for a comprehensive review of salaries, insisting that workers deserve a living wage that reflects present-day economic realities rather than merely guaranteeing survival.
The average retail price paid by consumers for Premium Motor Spirit, popularly known as petrol, rose to N1,532.93 per litre in April 2026, representing a 23.69 per cent increase compared to the N1,239.33 recorded in the corresponding period of 2025, findings by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) have shown.
The sharp rise in petrol prices came amid mounting inflationary pressure and worsening living costs, with Nigerians grappling with soaring transportation and food expenses that have continued to shrink household purchasing power.
The NBS disclosed this in its Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol) Price Watch for April 2026, released on Friday.
The report further showed that on a month-on-month basis, petrol prices rose by 18.97 per cent from N1,288.54 recorded in March 2026, underscoring persistent volatility in the downstream petroleum market.
A breakdown of prices across states revealed that Yobe recorded the highest average retail price for petrol at N1,599.05 per litre during the review period.
Edo and Bauchi followed closely with average prices of N1,595.74 and N1,589.07, respectively.
However, Niger residents paid the least for petrol at an average of N1,403.89 per litre, while Sokoto and Katsina recorded N1,404.16 and N1,406.28 respectively.
At the zonal level, the South-South recorded the highest average retail price at N1,566.76 per litre, while the North-West posted the lowest at N1,508.81.
The latest petrol price increase comes as millions of Nigerians continue to battle the ripple effects of rising inflation, with higher energy costs worsening transportation fares and the prices of essential commodities.
Similarly, the NBS said the average retail price for refilling a 5kg cylinder of Liquefied Petroleum Gas, also known as cooking gas, rose by 13.73 per cent month-on-month to N8,706.93 in April 2026 from N7,655.73 recorded in March.
On a year-on-year basis, the price increased by 10.42 per cent from N7,885.60 recorded in April 2025.
Lagos recorded the highest average price for refilling a 5kg cylinder at N9,745.10, followed by Nasarawa at N9,451.70 and Bayelsa at N9,422.74.
In contrast, Anambra recorded the lowest average price at N7,204.76, while Ondo and Ogun followed with N7,239.49 and N7,825.75, respectively.
At the regional level, the North-West recorded the highest average retail price for refilling a 5kg cylinder at N9,025.07, followed by the North-East at N8,847.16, while the South-East posted the lowest average price at N8,224.37.
Also, the average retail price for refilling a 12.5kg cylinder of cooking gas increased by 13.89 per cent month-on-month to N22,382.20 in April 2026 from N19,652.83 in March.
Compared to April 2025, the price rose by 10.43 per cent from N20,268.06.
According to the NBS LPG Price Watch for April, Katsina recorded the highest average retail price for refilling a 12.5kg cylinder at N25,596.71, followed by Kogi at N24,558.25 and Gombe at N24,438.97.
Ogun recorded the lowest average price at N19,564.36, while Bauchi and Anambra followed at N20,178.87 and N20,511.90 respectively.
The North-West recorded the highest zonal average retail price for refilling a 12.5kg cylinder at N23,276.95, followed by the North-Central at N22,865.29, while the South-East posted the lowest average at N21,060.92.
The latest figures signal growing pressure on household energy costs, raising concerns over the implications for inflation and the cost of living in the coming months.
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