Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Henry Owen
Abuja, Nigeria — Former Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has ignited fresh political controversy by alleging that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been withdrawing N100 billion every month from the Federation Account without constitutional authority or legislative approval, a practice he claims has persisted for more than 15 months and amounts to roughly N1.5 trillion. The comments, made during a televised interview, have stirred intense debate over fiscal transparency, executive powers and potential constitutional breaches at the centre of Nigeria’s federal system.
El-Rufai, who once maintained close political ties with Tinubu but has since aligned with opposition movements and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), described the alleged deductions as “unconstitutional” and a “clear impeachable offence.” Speaking on Arise Television, he argued that there is no provision in the 1999 Constitution or any act of the National Assembly that permits the president to unilaterally withdraw funds from the Federation Account — a pool of revenue constitutionally shared among the federal, state and local governments.
According to El-Rufai’s account, the purported practice began shortly after Tinubu took office and has been applied monthly without legislative appropriation or public transparency. He questioned the legality of the withdrawals, asserting they circumvented the National Assembly’s exclusive constitutional role in appropriation of public funds and deprive state and local governments of their rightful allocations.
“El-Rufai argued that this alleged monthly diversion undermines the fiscal sovereignty of all three tiers of government. He insisted that if the allegations are true, they constitute gross misconduct that warrants a constitutional response, including possible impeachment proceedings by the National Assembly.
The former governor also tied the alleged deductions to broader concerns about the administration’s handling of security, economic challenges and public finances. While details remain contested and figures provided by El-Rufai have not been verified by independent auditors or government authorities, his remarks have amplified calls from some opposition lawmakers and civil society groups for a forensic audit of the Federation Account to clarify the nature and legality of revenue movements.
El-Rufai’s accusations come at a politically charged moment, with national debates intensifying around executive authority and fiscal accountability ahead of the 2027 general elections. Analysts say the controversy could deepen partisan divisions and fuel scrutiny of the Tinubu government’s financial practices, particularly as Nigeria grapples with economic pressures, revenue shortfalls and demands for inclusive governance.
As of this report, the Presidency has not issued a formal rebuttal specifically addressing El-Rufai’s claims about the N100 billion monthly withdrawals. Officials have historically defended other fiscal decisions, including controversial financial adjustments and reconciliations, as part of efforts to stabilise public finances, though details around the legality of those actions have been contested by critics.
The National Assembly has also not indicated whether it will pursue impeachment or a formal inquiry based on these allegations, but legal experts note that any move to hold a sitting president accountable for alleged financial misconduct would involve extensive constitutional procedures, requiring clear evidence and legislative consensus.
The unfolding dispute highlights enduring tensions over resource control, federal fiscal management and the balance of powers in Nigeria’s governance framework, even as political actors leverage such debates to sharpen their campaigns and influence public opinion in the lead-up to national elections.
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