Former Kogi West Senator Dino Melaye has criticised President Bola Tinubu over the distribution of funds generated from the removal of fuel subsidy to state governors.
Melaye accused the President of diverting the proceeds of the subsidy removal to governors in exchange for their political support ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The former lawmaker made the allegation in a post on his X handle on Wednesday, while faulting the Federal Government’s handling of the funds.
Tinubu announced the removal of fuel subsidy during his presidential inauguration in Abuja in May 2023, describing it as part of the economic reforms of his administration.
The policy has remained controversial, with opposition figures and other stakeholders questioning its impact on Nigerians and the management of the resulting revenues.
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The issue recently resurfaced after former Vice-President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar, pledged to restore fuel subsidy if elected president in 2027.
Melaye, reacting to the development, accused Tinubu of initially using subsidy-removal funds to secure the support of state governors.
“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.”
Melaye further claimed that the President had realised that the governors might not be able to deliver the expected electoral support as the 2027 election approaches.
According to him, Tinubu was now turning to Nigerians and asking them to hold the same governors accountable.
“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.”
