By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
The opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused governors elected on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of allegedly diverting Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) funds to finance President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC described the alleged diversion of more than N800 billion from FAAC allocations for political purposes as “shameless, cruel, and criminal.”
The party said the allegations, reportedly published by THEWILL, confirmed longstanding suspicions among Nigerians that while citizens were being urged to endure the hardship caused by government reforms, public resources were allegedly being channelled into political campaigns ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to the ADC, it was morally indefensible that state governments receiving record-high allocations had failed to significantly improve the living conditions of citizens while allegedly contributing funds to support the President’s re-election ambition.
The party argued that despite increased revenues to states following fuel subsidy removal and exchange rate reforms, ordinary Nigerians continued to grapple with rising inflation, worsening poverty, insecurity, unemployment, and declining purchasing power.
“Roads are still collapsing. Hospitals remain empty. Schools are underfunded. Workers are underpaid, while communities remain unsafe,” the statement noted, adding that the only thing growing under the current administration was “the political appetite of the ruling party.”
The ADC further maintained that if the allegations were true, the development would amount to a direct misuse of resources meant for development, salaries, healthcare, education, infrastructure, and security.
“FAAC allocations belong to the Nigerian people and should not be converted into a political war chest for one man’s re-election ambition,” the party stated.
The opposition party alleged that the reported diversion explained why many APC governors appeared more focused on political calculations than governance despite unprecedented inflows into state coffers.
It also accused the federal government of hypocrisy, claiming that while Nigerians were repeatedly told there was no money to reduce economic hardship, enormous sums were allegedly being mobilised for political activities.
The ADC called for an immediate independent investigation into the allegations, including the reported use of FAAC deductions and related accounts allegedly connected to the operation.
According to the party, Nigerians deserve to know whether funds belonging to states and local governments were diverted for partisan political purposes.
“No amount of political spending can save a government that has lost the confidence of the people,” the statement added, warning that Nigerians would remember the alleged actions at the appropriate time.
