ADC demands probe over alleged N800bn FAAC diversion

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has condemned reports alleging that governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) diverted funds from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) to finance President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign.

The party described the alleged action as “shameless, cruel and criminal” at a time millions of Nigerians are battling poverty, hunger and economic hardship.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by Bolaji Abdullahi, its National Publicity Secretary, the party said allegations that over N800 billion was allegedly raised through deductions from FAAC allocations for political purposes validated longstanding public concerns over the misuse of public resources.

According to the ADC, while Nigerians are being urged to endure the painful consequences of the government’s economic reforms, the APC was allegedly converting public funds into a political war chest ahead of the 2027 elections.

The opposition party described it as morally indefensible that state governments receiving unprecedented allocations have failed to improve citizens’ welfare, yet were allegedly able to mobilise huge sums to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election ambition.

“If the allegations published by THEWILL are true, then what has occurred is not just political corruption, but outright theft of resources belonging to the Nigerian people,” the statement read.

“FAAC allocations are meant for development, salaries, healthcare, education, infrastructure, security and citizens’ welfare — not for financing the re-election plans of one man. To divert public funds into political accounts while citizens cannot afford food is wickedness on an industrial scale,” it added.

The ADC said the allegations explain why many APC governors appear more focused on political calculations than governance despite increased revenues accruing to states following fuel subsidy removal and currency devaluation policies.

The party further accused the APC-led administration of turning governance into “a fundraising machine for 2027” while Nigerians grapple with inflation, unemployment, insecurity, declining purchasing power and worsening poverty.

“Nigerians deserve to know whether funds belonging to states and local governments were diverted for partisan political purposes. If true, this represents a dangerous abuse of public trust and a scandal of enormous national consequence,” the statement added.