Fuel Subsidy: Tinubu Gave Govs Money in Exchange for Votes – Melaye

Former Kogi West Senator Dino Melaye has accused President Bola Tinubu of using funds generated from the removal of petrol subsidy to secure the support of state governors ahead of the 2027 general election.

Melaye made the allegation on Wednesday while criticising the Federal Government’s handling of the money saved after the subsidy was removed.

The former lawmaker claimed that the funds meant to cushion the impact of the subsidy removal on Nigerians were instead shared with state governors in a way he alleged was aimed at securing their political backing for Tinubu’s re-election bid.

Tinubu announced the removal of petrol subsidy during his inauguration as president in May 2023, making it one of the major economic policies of his administration. The decision immediately led to a sharp rise in petrol prices and increased pressure on households and businesses across the country.

Since then, the Federal Government and state governments have received additional allocations from the Federation Account following changes in revenue flows associated with the subsidy regime.

The subsidy policy has remained a major issue in the build-up to the 2027 presidential election. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, has promised to restore subsidy if elected, arguing that measures can be introduced to make petrol more affordable for Nigerians.

The proposal has generated different reactions from political leaders and presidential hopefuls. While some have backed Atiku’s position, others have warned that bringing back subsidy could place another heavy burden on government finances.

Melaye, however, focused his criticism on the way the Tinubu administration has handled funds following the subsidy removal.

He alleged that the President initially relied on state governors to mobilise political support for his administration by giving them access to additional funds. According to Melaye, the strategy was designed to strengthen the governors’ ability to support Tinubu politically ahead of the 2027 election.

The former senator also argued that the political calculation may no longer be working as expected as the election draws closer.

He claimed that the administration had realised that relying solely on governors would not guarantee victory in 2027 and had therefore begun asking Nigerians to hold their governors accountable.

Melaye questioned the logic behind asking citizens to demand accountability from governors after, according to his allegation, funds had previously been channelled to the states.

He maintained that Nigerians were the ones who bore the immediate economic consequences of the subsidy removal through higher fuel prices and increased costs of transportation, food and other goods and services.

The former lawmaker’s comments come amid growing political realignments ahead of the 2027 election, with opposition parties intensifying their criticism of the Tinubu administration’s economic policies.

The subsidy debate is expected to remain a major campaign issue as political parties present different proposals on how to reduce fuel prices while maintaining government revenue and protecting the economy.

Tinubu’s administration has continued to defend its economic reforms, while opposition figures have repeatedly questioned how the savings and additional revenues from the reforms have been used.

Melaye’s latest allegation adds to the growing political dispute over the subsidy policy and the use of public funds, with the issue likely to feature prominently in campaigns ahead of the 2027 presidential election.