Salihu Mohammed Lukman, a former National Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has slammed President Bola Tinubu for what he described as institutional complicity in corruption, accusing the president of “rewarding governors for mismanaging public funds.” Lukman made the damning remarks on Friday, August 2, during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.
He decried the continued allocation of huge federal resources to governors who, in his words, have “no interest in the development of their states.” Lukman warned that President Tinubu’s silence and inaction in the face of growing impunity was breeding a culture of arrogance among governors who feel emboldened to squander public funds without consequence.
The former APC chieftain, now a member of the opposition coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), referenced a recent report published by the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria detailing how governors across the country spent billions of naira renovating government houses and acquiring luxury items while citizens endure harsh economic realities caused by fuel subsidy removal.
Lukman argued that despite President Tinubu’s rhetoric about fiscal discipline, his administration continues to pump money into sub-national entities that fail to meet basic governance standards. “Yes, the president says the right things,” Lukman noted, “but what is he doing to ensure that governors do what they need to do?”
He added that the concentration of power at the state level has turned many governors into local despots who not only misappropriate funds but also control political party structures to shield themselves from scrutiny and accountability. “They are not just unaccountable,” he said, “they are untouchable.”
The criticism comes at a time when Nigeria is facing rising inflation, deepening poverty, and widespread public anger over government waste and rising cost of living. Lukman’s comments strike a chord with citizens demanding transparency and responsible use of public funds.
As calls for reform grow louder, political observers warn that President Tinubu’s legacy may be tainted if he continues to ignore these red flags. Lukman insists the president still has the power to act — but the window to restore public trust is narrowing fast.
