Hardship: Tinubu has spent N26trn Service-Wide Votes in 3 years - Dino Melaye

Former Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye, has accused President Bola Tinubu of spending more than N26 trillion on Service-Wide Votes, SWV, in three years, alleging a lack of transparency and effective oversight by the National Assembly.

Melaye made the allegation while addressing members of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, from Ekiti State and some House of Representatives aspirants at a meeting in Abuja on Thursday.

He criticised the Federal Government over what he described as financial recklessness and a lack of consideration for the economic hardship faced by ordinary Nigerians.

“What is spent at the discretion of Mr President is not appropriated,” Melaye said, arguing that Service-Wide Votes give the President considerable discretion over public funds without sufficient scrutiny.

He claimed that spending on Service-Wide Votes rose from about N3 trillion to more than N4 trillion in 2024, exceeded N9 trillion in 2025 and reached approximately N12 trillion in 2026.

According to him, the cumulative expenditure exceeded N26 trillion, raising questions about how the funds were spent.

“Tinubu has spent N26 trillion as Service-Wide Votes. No question from the National Assembly. No oversight,” he alleged.

Melaye argued that the money could have made a significant difference in the provision of infrastructure and public services if properly allocated and utilised.

“Do you know what N26 trillion can do in the lives of 250 million Nigerians? Do you know how many hospitals it will build in 774 local governments? Do you know how many schools it will build in 774 local governments? Do you know how many roads it will build?” he asked.

He also questioned the National Assembly's oversight of the expenditure, alleging that lawmakers had failed to demand adequate explanations from the executive.

Melaye further criticised the cost of government operations, particularly the vehicles and other assets associated with the presidency.

He alleged that Tinubu had departed from the practices of previous Nigerian presidents by using more expensive official vehicles, despite his stated commitment to reducing government spending.

The former senator also questioned the acquisition of presidential aircraft and a yacht, arguing that such expenditures should be scrutinised in view of the country's economic challenges.

“All past presidents, right from Nnamdi Azikiwe, were using Mercedes X-Class as their official vehicle. Tinubu said he cannot use Mercedes. He is using a Beast, the same type Trump is driving in America, which costs more than 10 times what the X-Class will cost.

“Three years before Buhari left office, he bought a presidential jet. Tinubu came and said he cannot use that one. He's the first Nigerian president to use Airbus...”

Melaye urged ADC members to take his concerns to Nigerians, saying the country was going through difficult times.

“I’m saying this for you to go back and tell our people that we are living in perilous times,” he said.

He warned that the country's situation could worsen if the government failed to address the issues he had raised.

Hardship: Tinubu has spent N26trn Service-Wide Votes in 3 years - Dino Melaye