By: Odeh Favour
The Presidency has faulted claims made by the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, alleging that the Federal Government is withholding N250 billion in Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) dividends due to each state of the federation.
The statement followed remarks made by Governor Makinde on Friday during the 2027 Budget Stakeholders’ Consultative Engagement held at the Olola Ogunlana Hall, International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, where he alleged that the funds were spent by the Federal Government and would not be released until after the 2027 elections.
Speaking at the event, the governor questioned the federal authorities over the alleged delay in releasing the funds to states.
“Each state was supposed to get N250 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.
Reacting in a statement released via his official X handle (@aonanuga1956), Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described the governor’s claims as false, misleading, and defying basic economic logic.
Onanuga clarified that distributing N250 billion to each of the 36 states as a one-off distribution would amount to N9.0 trillion, excluding allocations for the Federal Government, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and the 774 local government councils.
Breaking down the distribution framework, the presidential aide explained that under the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) formula, states receive 26.72 percent of the distributable Federation Account revenue.
He pointed out that for the states’ share alone to reach N9 trillion, total NLNG dividends paid into the Federation Account would have to exceed N33.68 trillion, or approximately $25 billion, in a single declaration.
He noted that NLNG has never paid $25 billion in dividends to the Federation Account in a single payout throughout its history.
Providing historical context, Onanuga stated that NLNG has paid approximately $21.5 billion in dividends to the Federation over the last 25 years, with less than $3 billion realized since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office.
“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 Presidency stated.
The presidential spokesman accused the Oyo governor of substituting verifiable facts with political rhetoric in his bid for the presidency.
“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.
Indeed, he has turned false, unguarded statements and claims into an art form,” Onanuga said.
He further cited a previous statement where the governor described the increased financial allocations from the Federation Account to states, including Oyo, as “voodoo”.
While acknowledging that Governor Makinde is legally entitled to seek higher office, the Presidency called on him to refrain from spreading disinformation as a political strategy.
“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,” he stated.
The Presidency urged members of the public to disregard the governor’s assertion, noting that it was designed to incite disaffection against federal authorities.
“We urge the public to disregard these unfounded claims, which serve only to mislead citizens and stoke needless disaffection against the Federal authorities,” the statement concluded.
