₦765 Billion in FAAC Allocations, Controversial Council Deductions, Supreme Court Judgment and Asset Transparency Raise Questions About Presidential Readiness
By The National Patriots
The heavens opened over Ibadan. Relentless rainfall reportedly flooded several communities as Governor Seyi Makinde’s presidential campaign was said to be taking off. What should have been a celebration of political ambition became an uncomfortable reminder of unresolved infrastructural challenges.
Was this coincidence, or a symbolic message that charity must begin at home?
The Bible declares in Luke 12:48: “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.”
After more than seven years governing Oyo State, Makinde must explain why drainage deficiencies and recurring flooding remain serious concerns.
Extreme rainfall, blocked waterways and indiscriminate construction contribute to flooding. Nevertheless, effective governance demands preventive infrastructure, environmental enforcement and measurable results.
Before promising to reset Nigeria, Makinde should demonstrate what he has successfully fixed in Oyo State.
₦765 BILLION IN FAAC ALLOCATIONS: WHERE ARE THE RESULTS?
Published FAAC compilations attributed to the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and the National Bureau of Statistics indicate that Oyo State received approximately ₦213.75 billion in net allocations during 2025 and ₦168.49 billion between January and July 2026.
The state’s 33 local governments separately received allocations totalling approximately ₦382.76 billion over the same period.
FAAC allocations 2025 Jan–July 2026
Gross state allocation ₦248.86bn ₦187.63bn
Debt deductions ₦20.17bn ₦10.12bn
Other deductions ₦14.94bn ₦9.02bn
Net state allocation ₦213.75bn ₦168.49bn
Local government allocations ₦221.94bn ₦160.82bn
Combined allocations ₦435.69bn ₦329.31bn
Total: Approximately ₦765 billion in 19 months.
These published figures require reconciliation with official monthly schedules. Local government allocations are separate from state revenue and must not be represented as funds personally controlled by Makinde.
Oyo State’s 2024 Citizens Accountability Report also recorded approximately ₦425.60 billion in Federation Account revenue, compared with ₦249.23 billion in 2023, an increase of approximately 71%.
Additionally, the published FAAC breakdowns identify approximately ₦4.22 billion in Ecological Fund components across 2025 and January–July 2026.
The National Patriots ask: What drainage rehabilitation, erosion-control and flood-prevention projects have these substantial resources financed? Where are the completion reports and measurable results?
LOCAL GOVERNMENT FUNDS: CONTROVERSIAL DEDUCTIONS
Makinde’s administration has faced repeated allegations concerning local government finances.
In 2026, the Oyo APC alleged that ₦90 million was deducted from each of the state’s 33 councils towards the state’s 50th anniversary celebrations, totalling ₦2.97 billion.
The government rejected allegations of coercion, maintaining that council chairmen contributed voluntarily.
Earlier, an APC group alleged that approximately ₦12.7 billion accrued to local governments over three months in 2022, while only ₦330 million was released for council administration.
In 2023, the opposition also alleged transfers totalling ₦3.696 billion from council accounts in connection with palliative arrangements.
These allegations remain disputed and do not establish unlawful diversion.
Makinde has acknowledged deductions for salaries, pensions and gratuities, defending them as necessary expenditure.
Nevertheless, following the Supreme Court’s 2024 judgment strengthening local government financial autonomy, the National Patriots demand a transparent reconciliation of allocations, deductions, authorisations and expenditure.
How much actually reached grassroots infrastructure?
THE SUPREME COURT JUDGMENT
Makinde’s constitutional record also deserves examination.
On May 7, 2021, the Supreme Court ruled that his administration’s 2019 dissolution of elected local government councils was unlawful and ordered compensation.
Subsequent litigation involved approximately ₦4.87 billion in acknowledged entitlements, with the Court of Appeal dismissing an appeal involving Makinde and other state officials in 2023.
Makinde subsequently announced payments, including a ₦2 billion tranche in April 2024, which he said resolved the dispute.
Nevertheless, the original Supreme Court finding remains relevant when evaluating respect for democratic institutions and constitutional governance.
ASSET DECLARATION: WHAT ABOUT PUBLIC DISCLOSURE?
Makinde declared assets in 2019 and submitted another declaration to the Code of Conduct Bureau in 2023.
His publicly announced 2019 assets were reportedly valued at approximately ₦48 billion.
In 2023, he claimed to have become 10–12% poorer during his first term and promised further disclosure.
The issue is therefore not failure to declare assets, but the extent of public disclosure and independent verification.
The National Patriots urge Makinde to publish sufficient details of his assets, liabilities, business interests and sources of wealth, subject to applicable law.
INEC, the Code of Conduct Bureau and relevant agencies should strengthen lawful asset verification and campaign-finance transparency for all presidential aspirants, without discrimination.
THE SOUTH-WEST CALCULATION: PRESIDENTIAL ASPIRANT OR SPOILER?
Makinde’s presidential ambition raises an intriguing political question.
Could his intention be to fragment President Tinubu’s South-West electoral support, potentially benefiting another presidential candidate?
If so, that would suggest an electoral spoiler strategy rather than a credible independent pathway to victory. However, no verified evidence presently establishes such an arrangement.
Makinde has yet to demonstrate the political clout, strategic sophistication, organisational machinery or electoral capital necessary to substantially weaken Tinubu’s regional support.
The Yoruba say:
“Bí ọmọdé bá ń gé igi ní igbó, àgbà mọ ibi tí yóò wó sí.”
When a child cuts down a tree in the forest, the elder knows where it will fall.
Political experience matters. Makinde’s reported confidence about winning 12 states must be measured against electoral structures, alliances and actual voter support.
Winning 12 states or meeting the constitutionally relevant 25% vote thresholds cannot be achieved through declarations alone.
NIGERIA’S RESET IS ALREADY UNDERWAY
Makinde’s proposed national reset also demands explanation.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has already initiated far-reaching economic reforms involving petrol subsidy removal, foreign-exchange restructuring, tax reforms, fiscal adjustments and investment liberalisation.
These reforms, their achievements, implementation challenges and outstanding social protection obligations are extensively examined in Nigeria’s Great Reset by Princess Gloria Adebajo-Fraser, MFR.
The foundation for economic restructuring has been laid over the past three years. However, implementation remains incomplete, particularly regarding social protection, employment, infrastructure and purchasing power.
Makinde must therefore explain precisely what he intends to reset, which reforms he would reverse or improve, and how his alternatives would produce superior results.
A presidential ambition requires more than adopting the language of an existing reform agenda.
THE NATIONAL PATRIOTS POSITION
The National Patriots recognise Makinde’s constitutional right to contest the Presidency. Equally, Nigerians have the right to demand accountability for his administration’s performance.
Oyo State’s substantial public revenues, persistent flooding, disputed council deductions, constitutional litigation and questions concerning asset transparency deserve objective examination.
President Tinubu’s reforms have established an important foundation, but their success ultimately depends on improved living standards and effective social protection.
The Yoruba say, “Ilé la ti ń kẹ́ṣọ́ ròde” — Charity begins at home.
Governor Makinde should first demonstrate that he has substantially addressed Oyo State’s infrastructural and governance challenges before asking Nigerians to entrust him with national leadership.
The Presidency is not a political experiment or a consolation prize for unfinished governance. It demands proven competence, constitutional responsibility and measurable achievements.
THE NATIONAL PATRIOTS
