Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of unlawfully deducting ₦100 billion every month from Nigeria’s Federation Account without the approval of the National Assembly, an action he described as a grave constitutional violation that could warrant impeachment.
El-Rufai alleged that the deductions have been ongoing for over 15 months, bringing the total amount withdrawn to about ₦1.5 trillion. According to him, the withdrawals were neither appropriated by the National Assembly nor approved by the constitutionally required institutions, making them illegal.
Speaking during a recent public engagement, the former governor argued that the 1999 Constitution is explicit on how funds in the Federation Account should be managed and shared among the federal, state, and local governments. He stressed that no arm of government, including the Presidency, has the power to unilaterally deduct funds from the account without legislative backing.
“El-Rufai maintained that any consistent and unauthorised withdrawal from the Federation Account amounts to a serious breach of the constitution,” adding that such an action, if proven, falls within the category of offences for which a sitting president could be impeached.
He further claimed that the deductions were allegedly made in the name of security spending, but questioned the transparency surrounding the process and the absence of measurable improvements in national security despite the huge sums involved. He called for a forensic audit of the Federation Account to determine how the funds were withdrawn, who authorised them, and how they were utilised.
The former governor also urged state governors, lawmakers, and relevant oversight institutions to rise above partisan considerations and defend constitutional order, warning that silence could set a dangerous precedent for executive overreach.
As of the time of filing this report, the Presidency has not issued an official response to El-Rufai’s specific allegations. However, the claims have sparked intense debate across political circles, civil society groups, and social media, with calls for the National Assembly to investigate the matter.
The controversy comes amid rising political tensions ahead of the 2027 general elections, further deepening scrutiny of the Tinubu administration’s fiscal and governance practices.
Abuja Network News
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