The Makinde-Daura Presidential Campaign Organisation (MDPCO) has challenged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to publish official financial records showing the amount of Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) dividends received and the sums approved for distribution to states amid controversy over an alleged ₦250 billion in unpaid funds.
The organisation, which supports Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s presidential ambition under the Allied People’s Movement (APM), accused the Presidency of failing to address the substance of Makinde’s allegation, insisting that Nigerians deserve clear answers about the disputed revenue.
The campaign organisation also accused the Federal Government of running what it described as a “voodoo economy”, arguing that official claims of economic progress had not translated into improved living conditions for many Nigerians.
In a statement responding to the Presidency’s denial of Makinde’s allegation, the MDPCO maintained that the central issue was whether NLNG dividends intended for distribution to states had been received by the Federal Government and, if so, whether the money had been released.
It challenged Tinubu to clarify the matter directly rather than engage in what it described as personal attacks on the APM presidential candidate.
“If the Tinubu Presidency claims that Makinde is wrong in his assertion that N250 billion NLNG dividend meant for states is being withheld, we challenge President Tinubu to directly tell Nigerians if the said dividends have been paid to the states rather than resorting to personal attacks on the APM presidential candidate,” the organisation stated.
The MDPCO argued that Makinde’s presidential ambition did not diminish his responsibility as a serving governor to demand accountability over public funds or question the Federal Government’s management of revenues accruing to the federation.
It called on the Presidency to explain the legal basis for any alleged withholding of funds due to states and publish the relevant NLNG dividend receipts, Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) decisions and official correspondence.
According to the organisation, the documents should establish how much NLNG paid in dividends during the period under dispute, the amount credited to the Federation Account, the sum approved for distribution to states and the dates scheduled for payment.
The campaign dismissed references to NLNG’s cumulative dividend payments over the past 25 years, arguing that historical figures could not establish the amount received or available for distribution during a specific period.
It also rejected the Presidency’s reported argument that paying ₦250 billion to each of Nigeria’s 36 states would amount to ₦9 trillion, insisting that such a calculation did not resolve the actual dispute.
“The question is not whether ₦9 trillion was ever paid in a single transaction, but the amount that is actually under discussion as can be established by the official records,” it argued.
The organisation maintained that only verifiable financial records could determine whether the disputed dividends had been received, approved for distribution, delayed or withheld.
Beyond the dividend controversy, the MDPCO criticised the administration’s economic management, alleging that official claims of improvement did not reflect the daily experiences of Nigerians facing economic hardship.
“The MDPCO stands by Makinde in his assertion that President Tinubu is running a voodoo economy where government thrives on lies, where the national fortunes only improve on paper with no corresponding improvement in the harsh everyday life of citizens under his administration,” the campaign stated.
It further alleged that the Presidency’s response reflected growing anxiety within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) over Makinde’s presidential ambition and what it described as increasing public acceptance of his proposed RESET NIGERIA Agenda.
The organisation insisted that political attacks would not distract Nigerians from demanding transparency over public revenue and accountability for the government’s economic policies.
The controversy places renewed attention on the management and distribution of public revenue, although the allegation that ₦250 billion in NLNG dividends remains unpaid to states requires verification through the relevant official financial records. The Presidency’s position on the specific amount and its distribution status remains central to resolving the dispute.
Leave a comment