Former Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye, has criticised President Bola Tinubu over the distribution of funds arising from the removal of fuel subsidy to state governors, alleging that the money was being used to secure their support ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Melaye accused the President of taking money away from Nigerians through the subsidy removal policy and transferring the funds to state governors in exchange for their votes and political support.
The former senator made the allegation in a post on his X account on Wednesday while reacting to the debate over the continued effects of the fuel subsidy removal on Nigerians.
He also questioned the decision of the Federal Government to call on Nigerians to hold their governors accountable over the use of increased allocations after the subsidy was removed.
Melaye wrote, “Bola Tinubu think say he dey smart.
“You took money away from Nigerians in the name of subsidy removal and gave it to the Governors in return for their votes and support.
“Now the election is almost here, and you realised that the governors can’t deliver you, and you’ve now come back to ask Nigerians, the same people you took away money from their pockets to go and hold the Governors accountable. Ko le work.”
The comments came amid renewed debate over the controversial fuel subsidy policy and how the additional revenue generated by its removal has been shared among the three tiers of government.
Tinubu announced the removal of the petrol subsidy during his inauguration speech on May 29, 2023, declaring that “subsidy is gone.” The policy immediately led to a sharp increase in the price of petrol and higher transportation and living costs across the country.
The Federal Government has defended the decision, arguing that the subsidy had become too expensive and was draining government finances. Officials have also maintained that removing it would free up funds for development and allow more money to go to the states and local governments.
Following the policy, the revenue available for sharing among the Federal Government, states and local governments increased. The additional funds have been a major part of discussions about the impact of subsidy removal and whether the increased allocations have translated into better living conditions for Nigerians.
The government has introduced several measures aimed at reducing the impact of the policy on citizens, including cash transfers, the distribution of food items and other social intervention programmes. However, many Nigerians have continued to complain about high food prices, transport costs and other economic pressures.
Melaye’s criticism also comes against the background of growing political activity ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The issue of fuel subsidy has become an important political subject, with opposition politicians questioning the benefits of its removal and calling for alternative measures to reduce the burden on Nigerians.
The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Atiku Abubakar, recently promised to restore the fuel subsidy if elected president in 2027.
Atiku’s position has triggered fresh arguments among political parties, economists and other stakeholders over whether subsidy should be restored or permanently removed.
Supporters of subsidy removal argue that returning to the old system would place another heavy burden on government finances and could encourage corruption and inefficiency in the petroleum sector.
Those opposed to the policy, however, argue that its removal was poorly managed and placed too much pressure on ordinary Nigerians without providing adequate measures to protect them from rising costs.
Melaye’s latest comments reflect the wider opposition to the way the subsidy reform has been implemented.
The former senator also challenged the political value of increased allocations to state governors, arguing that the governors may not be able to deliver the level of electoral support expected by the President in 2027.
His statement suggested that the Federal Government’s decision to allow states to receive higher allocations after the removal of subsidy was politically motivated.
However, the distribution of Federation Account revenue is provided for under Nigeria’s constitutional and fiscal arrangements, with funds shared among the Federal Government, state governments and local government councils based on approved revenue-sharing rules.
The Federal Government has repeatedly said that the increased allocations are meant to enable the different levels of government to provide public services and cushion the effects of economic reforms.
The governors have also defended their use of the additional funds, pointing to investments in infrastructure, workers’ salaries, social programmes and other projects in their respective states.
The debate is likely to continue as political parties and presidential aspirants begin to shape their economic messages ahead of the 2027 elections.