Politics
Oyo: Fayose a disgrace, PDP group knocks ex-gov over alleged N50bn falsehood
A group within the Peoples Democratic Party in Oyo State (PDP), the Oyo PDP-Visionaries, has described a former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, as a disgrace to public service over what it called an attempt to mislead Nigerians with claims that Governor Seyi Makinde received N50bn from the Federal Government.
The group reacted on Sunday after Fayose circulated a document from the Federal Ministry of Finance, which he claimed showed that the Oyo State Government received N50bn as intervention funds following the January 2024 Bodija explosion in Ibadan.
According to the group, the document released by the former governor only showed a request made by the Oyo State Government and not an approval or disbursement, accusing Fayose of deliberately confusing the two to mislead the public.
An examination of the document indicated that it was a letter dated August 20, 2024, issued by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and addressed to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.
Titled “Requests for Special Intervention Funds,” the letter stated that various state governments submitted requests amounting to N915.5bn, as contained in an attached schedule.
The letter further explained that due to the very low cash position of the Special Accounts, the requests could not be fully met, noting that while N450.7bn had been disbursed to some states, an outstanding balance of N464.7bn remained.
In the schedule attached to the letter, Oyo State was listed as requesting N50bn for “intervention funding support for the reconstruction of Old Bodija and environs after the Bodija explosion.”
However, the document did not indicate that the N50bn requested by Oyo State was approved or released.
Reacting to the development, the Oyo PDP-Visionaries, in a statement signed by its Coordinator, Qudus Olayide, accused Fayose of attempting to justify what it described as a false claim by presenting a request letter as evidence of payment.
The group said it was shameful and disturbing that a former governor would allegedly misrepresent an official document to discredit Governor Makinde.
“A request is not an approval. Mr Fayose should publish the letter showing the actual approval and disbursement if it exists,” the statement said, adding that Nigerians could clearly distinguish between a request and an approval.
The PDP faction also questioned Fayose’s credibility, urging him to back off the matter, while hailing Makinde as a transparent and people-centred leader who had remained above board in the handling of public funds.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has called on Governor Seyi Makinde to resign immediately, alleging that his recent remarks on state security exposed incompetence and an inability to lead.
Governor Makinde, speaking during his acceptance speech as the Presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Ibadan on Saturday, lamented that he could do little to rescue abducted school children and residents in Oriire Local Government Area due to all security structures being under federal control.
Reacting, APC State Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, described the governor’s comments as “the height of cluelessness, insincerity, and criminal ineptitude,” warning that such disclosures reflect a dangerous trend among parochial leaders.
Sadare said, “Engr. Seyi Makinde could not find any fault in the nation’s Constitution, yet he swore twice to protect lives and properties of Oyo people. He has long enjoyed the powers of his office, controlling resources and people without challenge, but now faces a serious test, exposing incompetence, cluelessness, and ego.”
He added, “Instead of addressing security challenges, Makinde is exploiting the situation to push a mirage he calls a presidential ambition in 2027. His insensitive comments once again reveal hypocrisy. It is time he quit the office of the governor, having admitted he lacks the capacity to secure the state.”
The APC also recalled that previous governors, including Alhaji Lam Adesina, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, and the late Sen. Abiola Ajimobi, operated under the same constitutional provisions without similar security failures. Sadare particularly praised Ajimobi for establishing a Security Trust Fund to ensure funding and stakeholder involvement in security, in contrast to the current administration.
“Makinde’s presidential ambition is dead on arrival. Our concern is the continued loss, deprivation, and mismanagement the people of Oyo may suffer in the remaining year of his tenure. The state deserves a team player, a sincere and humble governor — qualities Makinde has failed to demonstrate in seven years. He should apologise and step down,” Sadare concluded.
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Saturday emerged as the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) for the 2027 general election following the conclusion of the party’s presidential nomination process.
Makinde emerged through consensus and affirmation by party delegates during the exercise, in what party leaders described as a demonstration of unity and confidence in his leadership ahead of the next general elections.
The governor was presented with his Certificate of Return by the National Chairman of the APM, Alhaji Yusuf Dantali, during a ceremony held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, amid cheers from party faithful, delegates and supporters drawn from different parts of the country.
Speaking during the presentation, Dantali said Makinde possesses the leadership qualities, administrative experience and vision required to steer the country towards sustainable growth and national development.
He urged party members across the federation to close ranks and intensify grassroots mobilisation to ensure victory for the party in the 2027 presidential election.
The APM national chairman maintained that the party remained committed to presenting Nigerians with what he described as a credible alternative capable of addressing the country’s economic, security and governance challenges.
According to him, the emergence of Makinde as the party’s flag bearer marked the beginning of a new political movement aimed at restoring hope and strengthening democratic governance in the country.
In his acceptance speech, Governor Makinde expressed appreciation to the leadership of the party and delegates for the confidence reposed in him, pledging to work with stakeholders across political, ethnic and religious divides to advance the party’s vision for national transformation.
The governor assured party supporters of his commitment to inclusive leadership, promising to prioritise policies that would improve economic prosperity, strengthen institutions and enhance the welfare of Nigerians if elected.
Five key members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State have been appointed to the party’s campaign committee for the 2026 governorship re-election of Governor Abiodun Oyebanji in Ekiti State.
The Oyo APC leaders on the list include the party’s governorship candidate, Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, former Senate leader Teslim Folarin, Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, Zacch Adedeji, and Remi Oseni.
The list, signed by the party’s National Secretary, Sen. Ajibola Basiru, reflects the APC’s strategy of deploying experienced political figures with strong grassroots networks to ensure a successful re-election campaign in Ekiti.
“These appointments recognise their political experience and commitment to advancing the party’s agenda,” the source within the party said.
The APC committee is expected to coordinate campaign activities, voter engagement, and messaging, positioning the party for a strong showing in the 2026 governorship election.
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