ABUJA, NIGERIA — The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has demanded an immediate independent investigation into explosive allegations that All Progressives Congress (APC) governors diverted over ₦800 billion in public funds to finance President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign.
The funding scandal has triggered a severe internal rift within the ruling party.
The Alleged Diversion Scheme
The controversy stems from an investigative report exposing a bitter conflict within the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF). APC governors reportedly agreed to support President Tinubu’s second-term bid through systematic monthly deductions from state Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations .
According to opposition figures, these public funds were funneled into accounts controlled by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma. Uzodimma serves as the Director-General of the “Renewed Hope Ambassadors”—a political mobilization platform recently rebranded as the “Renewed Hope Network”. Tensions boiled over within the PGF when several governors demanded a strict audit of the ₦800 billion campaign war chest, a request that was reportedly met with silence from party leadership.
Opposition Outrage
ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi fiercely condemned the alleged scheme, labeling it “political corruption” and “wickedness on an industrial scale”.
“FAAC allocations are constitutionally mandated for salaries, healthcare, infrastructure, education, and security—not for funding partisan political campaigns,” Abdullahi said.
The ADC spokesperson questioned how state governments could justify failing to pay civil servants or maintain basic infrastructure [thewhistler.ng]. This is especially egregious given the record-breaking revenues states have received following fuel subsidy removals and naira devaluations.
The camp of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also reacted to the reports. Paul Ibe, Atiku’s Media Adviser, stated that the infighting within the ruling party exposes why regular Nigerians remain impoverished while the political elite stockpiles stolen public funds for future elections.
Silence from the Ruling Party
As of press time, neither the Presidency, Governor Hope Uzodimma, nor the national secretariat of the APC has issued a formal statement refuting the multi-billion naira allegations.
Instead, Governor Uzodimma and the Renewed Hope Ambassadors recently hosted a diplomatic forum in Abuja [blueprint.ng]. They utilized the platform to defend the administration’s macro-economic reforms and highlight the increased monthly distributions to state governments.
Growing Political Fallout
The scandal emerges at a sensitive time for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which has repeatedly warned political parties against premature electioneering ahead of the 2027 polls.
Simultaneously, the Nigerian opposition is rapidly realigning. A newly formed coalition, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), is aggressively courting prominent figures like Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso to build a formidable front against the APC. Opposition leaders allege that the ongoing anti-graft prosecutions by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) are being selectively used by the presidency to destabilize this emerging coalition before the 2027 campaign cycle officially begins.
