By Chudi Okologbu Uwandu
From Abia to Edo to Enugu, Nigerian politicians are rewriting the constitution — not in the courts, but in your mind.
When your tax money builds a road, they call it “Tinubu’s gift.”
When your federation funds upgrade a hospital, they say “Thank the President.”
One governor even cited this “kindness” as his reason for dumping his party.
This is not politics. This is manipulation of the highest order.
And it ends the moment you know the law.
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu said it. Governor Okpebholo confirmed it. The Enugu Governor institutionalised it.
All three are constitutionally wrong — and here is the proof.:
Please tag every Nigerian who should know this today.
In Nigerian politics, words are weaponized to keep the people permanently grateful to their oppressors.
A dangerous narrative is spreading fast — from Abia to Edo to Enugu.
When a governor builds roads, upgrades hospitals, and transforms infrastructure, certain politicians rush to say:
“It is not the governor’s doing. It is President Tinubu’s personal generosity.”
But, this is a lie. A calculated, constitutional lie.
The Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu said it openly about Abia State:
“The real miracle worker is President Tinubu, who is releasing the money to the states — not you doing the job.”
Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo declared publicly:
“Tinubu is funding all I’m doing.”
In Enugu State, a performing governor went even further — citing Tinubu’s “kindness” in releasing federal allocations as one of his reasons for defecting to the ruling party.
Not ignorance this time. Cold, deliberate political calculation.
All of them are banking on your ignorance.
Here are the facts.
FACT 1: THE FEDERATION ACCOUNT IS NOT TINUBU’S MONEY
Section 162 of the 1999 Constitution is clear.
The Federation Account belongs to ALL three tiers of government — Federal, State, and Local.
It is funded by YOUR taxes, customs duties, and natural resources.
Tinubu is merely a temporary trustee. Not the owner. Not the donor.
FACT 2: ALLOCATION IS YOUR LEGAL RIGHT — NOT A FAVOUR
The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) shares revenue automatically using a strict statutory formula.
No governor needs to beg, flatter, or pledge loyalty to receive what constitutionally belongs to their people.
The post-subsidy increase in allocations? An economic by-product of policy — not a gift from Aso Rock.
FACT 3: THE PRESIDENT CANNOT WITHHOLD YOUR MONEY — THE COURTS SAID SO
The Supreme Court settled this in 2004.
In A.G. Lagos State v. A.G. Federation, the court ruled that the federal government cannot seize or withhold state allocations.
And who won that case as a governor fighting for state financial independence?
Bola Tinubu himself.
How can his followers now argue the opposite?
THE CRUEL IRONY
Tinubu once stood before the Supreme Court to defend states from federal financial interference.
His allies now celebrate him as a personal benefactor dispensing favours to those same states.
He fought for the law.
His followers are fighting against it — in his name.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Tinubu is not spending his personal money on any state.
The funds belong to YOU — the Nigerian taxpayer.
The real miracle is not that the money was released.
The law demands it must be.
The real miracle is a state government honest and competent enough to spend it on the people.
A CALL TO ACTION
Civil society. The media. Enlightened citizens.
We must aggressively counter this narrative.
We must educate the electorate on where public money comes from and how it is shared.
The era of bowing in gratitude for statutory allocations must end. Now.
Chudi Okologbu Uwandu — journalist, cultural chronicler, and public affairs commentator — writes on politics, society, and the rich heritage of the Igbo people.
