…Makinde’s response, issued by his media adviser, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, said the Presidency had failed to address the central issue
MON OCT 19 2026-theGBJournal| Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has again challenged the Presidency to explain how $3 billion in Nigeria LNG (NLNG) dividends received under the current administration was distributed, renewing his claim that states and local governments are owed about ₦9 trillion.
Makinde’s response, issued by his media adviser, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, said the Presidency had failed to address the central issue: the findings of a reconciliation exercise commissioned by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), with the Federal Government’s support, which identified the alleged shortfall.
“The exercise identified a shortfall of about ₦9 trillion due to states and local governments.
The Federal Government accepted the findings,” the statement said.
It added that the report remained in the custody of both the Federal Government and the NGF, expressing confidence that the Presidency would not deny its existence.
Governor Makinde is the incumbent vice-chairman of the NGF.
The Presidency had stated that NLNG had paid $21.5 billion in dividends into the Federation Account since the company’s inception, including $3 billion received under the current administration.
But Makinde’s camp said the response did not explain how the funds were distributed or whether state and local governments had received their respective shares.
“Have states and local governments received their shares? How much did they receive, and how were those amounts calculated? What happened to the $3 billion received under this administration?” the statement asked.
It maintained that the governor’s claims were based on verifiable information rather than speculation.
“Governor Makinde conducts public discourse with decorum and does not make unfounded claims or quote figures without a basis,” Olanrewaju said.
The statement said the governor remained willing to provide further clarification, while urging the Presidency to address the substance of the allegations.
“We remain ready to provide further clarification while we urge the presidency to address the substance of the matter,” it said.
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