Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Media personality and political commentator Isaac Fayose has launched a stinging counter-attack against First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, challenging her appeal to Afrobeats superstars Davido, Burna Boy, and Asake to establish charitable foundations for the poor, and demanding to know why All Progressives Congress (APC) governors cannot channel a fraction of their monthly allocations to support vulnerable Nigerians instead. In a video that went viral on Sunday, 12 July 2026, Fayose, the younger brother of former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, publicly declared his disagreement with the First Lady, pointing out what he described as a glaring inconsistency in her priorities.
In the video, Fayose referenced a recent directive by the First Lady, in which she reportedly asked state governors to purchase brand-new vehicles for APC women leaders in their respective states. He argued that the funds used for such partisan purposes could have been deployed to alleviate the suffering of millions of Nigerians grappling with poverty and hardship. "I saw a video of Remi Tinubu advising Davido, Burna Boy and Asake to use their music money for charity," Fayose said. "I disagree with you ma. You're the one who asked state governors to buy brand-new cars for APC women leaders in their states. That money could have been used to help people too."
First Lady's Appeal to Musicians Sparks Debate
The First Lady had earlier on Saturday, 11 July 2026, during the launch of the National Community Food Basket programme in Lokoja, Kogi State, called on Nigeria's leading music stars to channel part of their wealth into charitable causes. Citing the philanthropic work of Senegalese-American singer Akon, she urged Burna Boy, Davido, and Asake to establish foundations dedicated to supporting vulnerable Nigerians. "The Burna Boys of this world, the Asakes, all of them, Davido, we want to see you with one foundation or the other, helping the poor with your money," she said. She acknowledged that luxury cars like Maybach and Rolls-Royce are desirable, but insisted that celebrities should also invest in helping those in need. "The burden on the government is huge," she added.
However, Fayose's counter-argument has struck a chord with many Nigerians who have questioned why the government, which collects billions in taxes and allocates vast sums to politicians' welfare, would shift the responsibility of poverty alleviation to private citizens and entertainers. His reference to the reported N500 million monthly contributions by APC governors to a campaign fund has reignited debates over the use of public resources for partisan purposes and the government's own spending priorities.
Context: Allegations of N800 Billion Diversion by APC Governors
Fayose's criticism comes amid ongoing controversy over allegations that APC governors have been diverting public funds for political purposes. In May 2026, reports surfaced claiming that governors of the ruling party were making monthly contributions from their Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations to a dedicated campaign fund to support President Bola Tinubu's re-election bid, with some estimates putting the total at over N800 billion. The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has since filed a lawsuit against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its failure to investigate the allegations, seeking an order of mandamus to compel the electoral body to probe the claims and demand full disclosure from the governors and the APC regarding the sources and scale of political financing.
Fayose's intervention adds to a growing chorus of voices questioning the government's fiscal priorities. While the First Lady's appeal to celebrities may have been well-intentioned, many Nigerians have taken to social media to ask why the government, which receives billions in taxes and natural resource revenues, cannot adequately fund social programmes without relying on the goodwill of musicians. Critics argue that the government's approach to poverty alleviation has been insufficient, and that the burden of providing for the poor should not fall on private citizens, no matter how wealthy they may be.
A Broader Debate on Government Responsibility
The controversy has also highlighted the growing disconnect between the political class and the ordinary citizens they are meant to serve. As Nigeria continues to grapple with rising inflation, unemployment, and food insecurity, many Nigerians are questioning why the government, which collects billions in taxes and allocates billions more to lawmakers' allowances, cannot adequately fund social programmes without resorting to appeals to private citizens. Fayose's pointed question—why can't APC governors use N500 million monthly to support the poor?—has resonated across social media, with many Nigerians calling for greater accountability and transparency in the use of public funds.
As of the time of filing this report, the First Lady had not publicly responded to Fayose's criticism. However, the debate has underscored the deep-seated frustration among Nigerians over the government's handling of the country's economic challenges, and the perceived disconnect between the priorities of those in power and the needs of the people they serve. Fayose's viral video has ensured that the conversation around government accountability, celebrity philanthropy, and the role of public officials in poverty alleviation will continue to dominate public discourse in the coming days.
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