By Our Reporter.

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of spending dividend payments from the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) that he said were meant to be shared among the 36 states of the federation.

Makinde made the allegation on Friday during a stakeholders’ meeting on the 2027 budget at the International Conference Centre in Ibadan, where he expressed concern over the alleged non-disbursement of the funds to state governments.

According to the governor, each state was expected to receive more than N250 billion from the NLNG dividend payments after the figures had been reconciled and the money paid into the Federation Account.

He alleged, however, that the Federal Government spent the funds without distributing the states’ respective shares.

“They fooled us. The Nigeria LNG paid dividends to the Federal Government, which went straight into the Federation Account, but they spent it.

“So, what do we do? They did the consultancy, reconciled the figures, and each state of the federation was supposed to be paid, but they spent the money alone. The Federal Government spent it alone.

“Each state should receive more than N250 billion but Tinubu cornered it. We were planning towards this, identified projects that we can invest the money in to further expand the economy of Oyo State,” Makinde said.

The governor explained that his administration had already identified projects that would have benefited from Oyo State’s expected allocation, with the aim of expanding economic activities and promoting development across the state.

He also criticised suggestions that payment of the funds could be delayed until after the 2027 general elections, insisting that the welfare and development needs of Nigerians should take precedence over political considerations.

Makinde’s allegations raise questions about the status of the NLNG dividend payments, the reconciliation of the amounts due to states and the circumstances surrounding the reported delay in disbursement.

The Federal Government’s response to the governor’s claims was not included in the account of his remarks.