By Stephen Simon
The Presidency and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde have disagreed over his allegation that the Federal Government is withholding ₦250 billion in Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) dividends meant for each state.
Makinde made the claim on Friday during a 2027 budget stakeholders’ engagement in Ibadan, alleging that the funds would not be released until after the 2027 general election.
Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, rejected the allegation on Sunday, describing it as false and inconsistent with the history of NLNG dividend payments.
Onanuga said allocating ₦250 billion to each of the 36 states would require ₦9 trillion for the states alone, excluding the Federal Government, the Federal Capital Territory and local governments.
He added that NLNG had paid approximately $21.5 billion in dividends to the Federation over 25 years, with less than $3 billion received since President Bola Tinubu assumed office.
However, the Oyo State Government challenged the Presidency on Monday to explain how the dividends received under Tinubu were distributed among the three tiers of government.
Makinde’s media aide, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, said the Presidency’s response did not address the state’s central concern over the distribution of the funds.
The dispute has raised fresh questions about transparency in the management and allocation of Federation revenue as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.
