ADC Accuses APC of Diverting N800bn FAAC Funds for Tinubu’s 2027 Campaign

Nigeria’s economic management has come under renewed public scrutiny after the African Democratic Congress (ADC) accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) of allegedly diverting more than N800 billion from Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) funds to finance preparations for the 2027 general elections.

The allegation has sparked fresh debate over Nigeria’s fiscal transparency, public spending and the impact of the Federal Government’s economic reforms at a time millions of Nigerians are battling inflation, rising food prices and worsening living conditions.

The controversy also comes amid reports that the Federal Government is in discussions with the World Bank over a proposed fresh $1.25 billion loan facility, further raising concerns about Nigeria’s debt profile and dependence on external borrowing.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC described the alleged diversion of public funds for political purposes as “shameless, cruel and criminal.”

According to the opposition party, reports suggesting that over N800 billion was allegedly raised through deductions from FAAC allocations confirmed fears that public resources were being converted into a political “war chest” ahead of the 2027 elections.

“The report alleging that over N800 billion was raised through deductions from FAAC allocations for political purposes confirms what Nigerians have long suspected, that while the administration continues to tell the people to endure the pains of its ill-fated economic reforms, the APC has been converting public resources into a war chest for 2027 politics,” the party stated.

The ADC argued that despite record allocations to states following the removal of petrol subsidy and the devaluation of the naira, ordinary Nigerians continue to face severe hardship, unemployment and insecurity.

“Under this APC government, states are receiving more money than at any other period in Nigeria’s history, yet Nigerians are poorer, hungrier, and more desperate than ever before,” the statement added.

“Roads are still collapsing. Hospitals are still empty. Schools are still underfunded. Workers are underpaid. Communities remain unsafe. The only thing growing is the political appetite of the ruling party.”

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The party maintained that if the allegations are proven true, they would amount to political corruption and diversion of resources meant for development, healthcare, education, infrastructure and citizens’ welfare.

“FAAC allocations are meant for development, salaries, healthcare, education, infrastructure, security and the welfare of citizens, not for financing the re-election plans of one man,” the ADC said.

The opposition party also called for an independent investigation into the alleged deductions and any accounts reportedly linked to the operation.

The allegation has intensified political tensions at a time the Tinubu administration is pushing ahead with major tax reforms in Nigeria aimed at increasing government revenue and reducing dependence on borrowing.

Speaking recently at the 28th Annual Tax Conference of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria in Abuja, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, defended the government’s fiscal reforms and warned that Nigeria could no longer sustain development through excessive borrowing.

According to Oyedele, the country urgently needs a more sustainable fiscal system capable of funding healthcare, education, infrastructure and social protection without relying heavily on debt.

The minister explained that the administration’s tax reform agenda seeks to simplify Nigeria’s tax system, improve compliance, widen the tax base and create a more competitive economy while protecting low-income earners and small businesses.

However, the reforms have continued to generate debate across the country, particularly amid concerns over rising taxation, inflation and the high cost of living.

Economic analysts say the growing controversy surrounding FAAC funds, taxation and public borrowing reflects broader public frustration over the country’s economic direction under President Tinubu’s administration.

Despite criticism, President Tinubu has repeatedly defended his economic policies, insisting that difficult reforms such as subsidy removal and exchange rate liberalisation were necessary to stabilise the economy and attract long-term investment.

The President has also argued that rising debt servicing costs have significantly reduced Nigeria’s ability to invest adequately in critical sectors such as infrastructure, healthcare and education.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Presidency nor the APC Governors’ Forum had officially responded to the ADC’s allegations regarding the alleged diversion of public funds.

ADC Accuses APC of Diverting N800bn FAAC Funds for Tinubu’s 2027 Campaign

UPDATED: Ex-Power Minister Saleh Mamman jailed 75 Years for N33.8bn Fraud

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday sentenced former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to a total of 75 years’ imprisonment in absentia over a N33.8 billion fraud and money laundering case instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The court convicted Mamman on all 12 counts filed against him by the anti-graft agency, ruling that the prosecution successfully proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

Justice Omotosho ordered that the prison terms should run consecutively rather than concurrently, bringing the total jail term to 75 years.

The former minister was sentenced to seven years imprisonment each on counts 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 without an option of fine.

He was also sentenced to three years imprisonment on count four with an option of a N10 million fine and two years imprisonment on count five without an option of fine.

The court held that Mamman deliberately absconded from trial in a bid to frustrate the administration of justice.

Relying on provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, Justice Omotosho agreed with EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), that sentencing could legally proceed despite the defendant’s absence in court.

The judge consequently ordered all security agencies, including Interpol, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services and the Nigerian Immigration Service, to arrest Mamman wherever he is found and hand him over to the Nigerian Correctional Service to begin serving his sentence.

According to the court, the sentence will commence from the date of his arrest.

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Justice Omotosho also ordered the final forfeiture of all funds, foreign currencies and properties recovered from the former minister, including several properties traced to him in Abuja.

The court further directed Mamman to refund the outstanding balance from the N22 billion already traced to him out of the N33.8 billion allegedly diverted from funds earmarked for the Mambilla and Zungeru hydroelectric power projects.

The EFCC had accused the former minister of conspiring with ministry officials and private companies to divert public funds through a network of Bureau de Change operators who allegedly converted the money into foreign currencies before handing it over to him.

Investigators told the court that part of the diverted funds was used to acquire luxury properties in Abuja and other assets.

The court also found that Mamman violated anti-money laundering laws by making a cash payment of $655,700, equivalent to about N200 million, for a property in Abuja without passing through any financial institution as required by law.

Justice Omotosho, in a strongly worded judgment, criticised the former minister for enriching himself at a time Nigeria continued to struggle with poor electricity supply and inadequate power infrastructure.

“Rather than creating a legacy to tackle the epileptic power supply in the country, the defendant was living large at the expense of ordinary Nigerians,” the judge reportedly said during the proceedings.

Mamman, who served as Minister of Power under former President Muhammadu Buhari between 2019 and 2021, was initially arraigned by the EFCC in July 2024 in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CR/273/2024.

The charges bordered on conspiracy, money laundering and unlawful diversion of funds linked to the Mambilla and Zungeru hydroelectric power projects, two major electricity projects intended to boost Nigeria’s power generation capacity.

The prosecution presented multiple witnesses, financial documents, bank records and property acquisition evidence during the trial to establish the movement and laundering of the funds.

Justice Omotosho had earlier, on May 7, convicted the former minister in absentia after ruling that the EFCC had sufficiently established his culpability and subsequently issued a warrant for his arrest.

The conviction marks one of the heaviest prison sentences secured by the EFCC against a former federal cabinet member in recent years and is expected to reignite public debate over corruption and accountability in Nigeria’s power sector.

UPDATED: Ex-Power Minister Saleh Mamman jailed 75 Years for N33.8bn Fraud

Domestic Dispute Turns Tragic as Woman Sets Co-Wife, Two Children Ablaze in Kano

A domestic dispute in Kano State turned tragic after a woman, identified as Maryam Muhammad, allegedly poured petrol on her co-wife and two children before setting them ablaze in the Hotoro area of Kano metropolis.

The shocking incident reportedly happened late Monday night at the Mai Allo area of Hotoro quarters, leaving residents in disbelief and sparking outrage across the community.

The victims — 28-year-old Firdausi Musa and her two children, Khadija Ya’u, 7, and Ismail Ya’u, 3 — sustained severe burns and are currently receiving treatment at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Dala, and Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital in Kano.

Their husband and father, Malam Saminu, was also injured while trying to rescue the victims from the fire. He is currently undergoing treatment for burns sustained during the incident.

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According to family members, the suspect, Maryam Muhammad, is currently in police custody at the Mariri Police Division as authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack.

Speaking on the incident, Firdausi’s younger brother, Buhari Musa Sa’ad, revealed that the family received a distress call around 3am informing them that his sister, her husband and the children had been set ablaze.

He disclosed that Firdausi had spent less than two weeks in the matrimonial home before the attack occurred.

“She is around 28 years old. The children who got burned are the ones she brought from her previous marriage. They are stepchildren to the husband, who works as a tricycle rider,” he said.

Another relative, Rukayya, alleged that the victim had repeatedly complained about threats and intimidation from the co-wife before the incident.

“We were here when she was brought in, and she told us herself that it was her co-wife who poured petrol on her and lit a match,” she said.

Rukayya further explained that Firdausi had temporarily left the house earlier due to the alleged threats but later returned after intervention from her husband.

The incident has generated widespread reactions in Kano, with many residents describing the attack as heartbreaking and disturbing.

As of the time of filing this report, the Kano State Police Command had yet to release an official statement on the matter. However, sources confirmed that investigations are ongoing while the suspect remains in custody.

The case has also reignited conversations around domestic violence, family disputes, and the dangers associated with unresolved tensions in polygamous homes.

Domestic Dispute Turns Tragic as Woman Sets Co-Wife, Two Children Ablaze in Kano