Tinubu Presidency Dismisses Gov Makinde’s Claim Of Withholding N250bn NLNG Dividends From Each State | Sahara Reporters

The Presidency, in a statement issued on Sunday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, described Makinde’s allegation as false, arguing that the figures cited by the governor were inconsistent with the historical dividend payments made by NLNG to the Federation.

The Nigerian Presidency has dismissed Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s claim that the Federal Government is withholding ₦250 billion in Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) dividend payments for each state until after the 2027 general elections.

The Presidency, in a statement issued on Sunday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, described Makinde’s allegation as false, arguing that the figures cited by the governor were inconsistent with the historical dividend payments made by NLNG to the Federation.

Makinde had alleged that the Federal Government was delaying the release of funds due to states following the reconciliation of NLNG dividend figures, claiming that the money would not be paid until after the 2027 elections.

Speaking at the 2027 Budget Stakeholders’ Consultative Engagement held at Olola Ogunlana Hall, International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, on Friday, the governor questioned why funds intended for development projects would be withheld over electoral considerations.

“Each state was supposed to get ₦250 billion. We had already identified projects that would expand Oyo State’s economy. But they have now said the money will not be paid until after the election. Is the election more important than the people of Nigeria?” Makinde said.

He also alleged that consultants had reconciled the figures relating to the dividend payments and that state governments had begun planning projects to be financed with the expected allocations.

“They reconciled the figures, and each state of the federation would get more money, about ₦250 billion. We were planning towards this. We wanted to identify projects that we could put it into, projects that could further expand the economy of the states,” he said.

However, the Presidency rejected the claim, arguing that the amount Makinde said each state was expected to receive would translate into an enormous total that could not be supported by NLNG’s dividend payment history.

According to Onanuga, distributing ₦250 billion to each of Nigeria’s 36 states would amount to ₦9 trillion, excluding allocations to the Federal Government, the Federal Capital Territory and the 774 local government councils.

The Presidency explained that, under the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) revenue-sharing formula, states receive 26.72 per cent of distributable revenue from the Federation Account.

“For the states’ share alone to reach ₦9 trillion, total NLNG dividends paid into the Federation Account would have to exceed ₦33.68 trillion (about $25 billion) in a single declaration,” the statement said.

“NLNG has never paid $25 billion in dividends to the Federation Account in a single payout,” it added.

The Presidency further stated that NLNG had paid approximately $21.5 billion in dividends to the Federation over the past 25 years, with less than $3 billion realised since Tinubu assumed office.

It argued that the figures made Makinde’s allegation implausible, insisting that the amount claimed by the governor exceeded what could reasonably be expected from a single dividend payment.

“Therefore, any claim that a single payout exceeds the company’s entire lifetime distribution to the Federation—and is being withheld—defies basic logic and economic reality,” the statement said.

The Presidency also urged the governor to exercise caution in his public statements, accusing him of making misleading claims amid his reported presidential ambition.

“We expect Governor Makinde to be more measured in his public conduct and utterances. Since he embarked on his presidential bid, he has chosen to play politics by making misleading claims rather than presenting verifiable facts,” Onanuga said.

He further accused Makinde of repeatedly making statements that misrepresented the financial relationship between the Federal Government and state governments.

“Indeed, he has turned false, unguarded statements and claims into an art form,” the presidential spokesman added.

Onanuga also recalled Makinde’s previous description of financial allocations from the Federation Account to states, including Oyo, as “voodoo.”

The Presidency maintained that the governor was entitled to pursue his political ambitions but urged him not to make what it described as falsehoods and disinformation central to his campaign.

“Under Nigerian law, Governor Makinde is free to pursue his presidential ambition. He should desist from making falsehoods and disinformation the hallmarks of his campaign,” the statement said.

It also urged Nigerians to disregard the governor’s allegations, arguing that they could mislead the public and generate unnecessary hostility towards the Federal Government.

“We urge the public to disregard these unfounded claims, which serve only to mislead citizens and stoke needless disaffection against the Federal authorities,” Onanuga stated.

In his earlier remarks, Makinde had questioned whether the Federal Government was delaying the funds because state governments might use the money for projects that could have political implications ahead of the 2027 elections.

“Maybe, as you pay our governors, once you pay that money to the state, they may have control over it and use it to work against you. Given all that, does it then mean election is more important to development in Nigeria?” he asked.

He also challenged the Federal Government to explain why the states should be denied access to the funds if the money was legitimately due to them.

“Is it your money? And why should we be forced to work for you?” the governor said.