Makinde regretted that the funds, which amount to ₦250bn for each state, had been withheld until after the 2027 general election.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has expressed strong disapproval of the alleged failure of the President Bola Tinubu-led government to remit the states’ share of Nigeria LNG (NLNG) dividends, arguing that the decision is hindering development planning and infrastructure investment across several states of the federation.
He levelled the allegation against the Federal Government on Friday at the 2027 budget stakeholders’ consultative engagement held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
According to him, the delay has dealt a major setback to subnational development, forcing states to put several planned infrastructure projects on hold.
Makinde, who is a presidential candidate in the 2027 general election, added that each state was entitled to ₦250 billion from the NLNG dividends, but expressed regret that the funds had been withheld until after the 2027 polls.
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Speaking on the impact of the decision on his state in particular, the governor said the delay in the release of the funds has affected the implementation of projects identified to expand Oyo State’s economy and improve infrastructure.
Addressing the audience at the gathering, Makinde said: “Each state was supposed to get ₦250 billion. We had already identified projects that would expand Oyo State’s economy.
“But they have now said the money will not be paid until after the election. Is the election more important than the people of Nigeria?”
He went on to argue that withholding the funds until after the election undermined economic and social development across the states.
