The Oyo State Government has dismissed allegations surrounding the N30bn relief fund released by the Federal Government after the January 2024 Bodija explosion, describing the controversy as politically motivated.
The reaction followed a petition by the Human and Environmental Development Agenda to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, alleging diversion and misapplication of the funds meant for compensation, reconstruction and emergency relief for victims of the explosion.
The petition, signed by HEDA Chairman, Mr Olanrewaju Suraju, questioned the status of the N30bn intervention fund, claiming that only about N4.5bn was reportedly used for relief efforts, while the bulk of the money remained unaccounted for.
The petition also raised concerns over transparency, alleging that the funds were kept in a commercial bank for over a year without clear public disclosure.
The controversy gained momentum after a former governor publicly alleged that N50bn had been released to the state as intervention funds, a claim the Oyo State Government denied.
The state government clarified that it received N30bn from the Federal Government and maintained that the funds remained untouched pending the release of the balance.
Reacting, the Oyo State Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mr Dotun Oyelade, said the government’s position had not changed, stressing that the administration had already spent over N24bn from its own resources on reconstruction and environmental remediation.
Oyelade described the renewed agitation over the N30bn as part of early political maneuvering ahead of the 2027 general elections.
HEDA, however, urged the EFCC to conduct a thorough investigation, insisting that constitutional immunity does not prevent scrutiny of public fund management.
