THIS DAWN — Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has ignited a political firestorm with allegations that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been deducting ₦100 billion monthly from the Federation Account without legislative approval.
El-Rufai made the allegation while speaking during an interview on Prime Time, an Arise TV programme.
According to El-Rufai, the deductions have persisted for over 15 months, amounting to a staggering ₦1.5 trillion.
El-Rufai’s Charge
El-Rufai described the deductions as a “brazen violation of constitutional order”.
He insisted that such unilateral withdrawals from the Federation Account constitute gross misconduct and are sufficient grounds for impeachment.
“No President has the right to tamper with the Federation Account without due process.
“What Tinubu has done is not only unconstitutional but criminal.
“This is enough ground for impeachment,” El-Rufai declared.
Constitutional Breach
The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) is constitutionally mandated to distribute revenues among the federal, state, and local governments.
Any deductions outside statutory provisions must be backed by National Assembly approval.
El-Rufai’s claim, if substantiated, points to a serious breach of fiscal federalism.
Analysts warn that unauthorized withdrawals erode transparency, weaken state finances, and compromise accountability in public revenue management.
Political Fallout
The allegation has sent shockwaves across Nigeria’s political landscape.
Opposition figures have seized on the claim, demanding explanations from the Presidency and calling for parliamentary scrutiny.
Civil society groups are also urging the National Assembly to investigate the matter thoroughly.
The Presidency has yet to issue an official response.
Meanwhile, insiders suggest the deductions may have been linked to special intervention programs or debt servicing obligations.
Critics argue that even if well-intentioned, bypassing legislative approval sets a dangerous precedent that undermines democratic checks and balances.
Implications El-Rufai and Tinubu
If proven true, the alleged ₦1.5 trillion unauthorized deductions could become one of the most significant fiscal scandals in Nigeria’s democratic history.
It raises urgent questions about executive overreach, financial accountability, and the role of the legislature in safeguarding national resources.
El-Rufai’s blunt assertion that the action “deserves impeachment” underscores the gravity of the allegation.
It also sets the stage for a potentially bruising confrontation between the executive and legislative arms of government.
