There’s a popular saying, that all it takes for evil to thrive is for good men to do nothing.

Now, I must add, that all it takes for falsehood to thrive is for truth talkers to keep quiet.

A false narrative has festered for so long. That false narrative is that Obasanjo seized ENTIRE Lagos State Allocation and Tinubu had to sustain the state through his ingenuity and IGR. But this is FALSE.

What Obasanjo seized was Local Government Allocations because Tinubu created new Local Governments which the Federal Government disagreed with and took Lagos State Government to court. So, the Federal Government thought it was right to hold onto the Local Government Allocations until the suit is decided in court.

Even this withholding of Local Government Allocation started sometimes around 2004. So, it wasn’t for 8 years. And remember that LGA funds constitute just about 20% of the funds that goes from Federal Government to Lagos State coffers.

The funds accruing to Lagos State Government was never tampered with throughout 8 years of Obasanjo’s presidency.

The question now is, why have Tinubu supporters been reinforcing the narrative that Obasanjo seized all of Lagos State’s money for 8 years?

CLAIM:

Former governor of Lagos State, and presidential aspirant, Bola Tinubu claimed that he received zero allocation from the federal government when he was governor.

VERDICT: False

FULL TEXT

Bola Tinubu, who governed Lagos State from 1999 to 2007 is aspiring to be Nigeria’s president in 2023, under the All Progressive Congress (APC). His major contenders for the party’s presidential ticket include the current Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo; the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi; Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello; and Senator Ibikunle Amosun; among others.

Late last month, Speakers of the 15 state assemblies controlled by the APC, assembled at a forum hosted by the Lagos State House of Assembly. Tinubu who was present at the forum as a special guest of honour, sought the support of the legislators, while he reeled out his qualifications to govern Nigeria. The former Lagos governor boasted that he governed Nigeria’s commercial capital with zero allocation from the federal government, and he succeeded in turning the state around.

“I was raised to be courageous and this has been working for me. With zero allocation from FAAC, I turned Lagos State around and today, the state has become the largest economy in Africa. I reserve the right to brag. I want to bring same to bear as President of Nigeria. Accelerated development of Nigeria is about thinking and doing and I am ready to do that again because I am a thinker and a doer,” Tinubu said.

VERIFICATION

Old media reports perused by Ripples Nigeria show that the federal government under Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, only withheld the Local government fund of Lagos when Tinubu was governor.

Tinubu had created Local Council Development Areas, against the approval of the Obasanjo-led federal government. As a penalty, the federal government directed the Minister of Finance to withhold the Local government fund of Lagos, and other states who created LCDAs.

A 2004 circular to state governors by the then Finance Minister, contained a letter from President Obasanjo directing the minister not to release the local government funds of Lagos, Ebonyi, Katsina, Nasarawa and Niger states.

Also, the then Attorney General of Lagos, Yemi Osinbajo sued the federal government for the decision. The subject of dispute was that the federal government withheld the payment of funds due to Lagos’ Local Government Councils from the Federation Account. The plaintiff argued that it was a constitutional violation.

An explainer of the Lagos state government’s argument on naigeria-law.org reads in part: “Arguing the plaintiff’s case, Professor Osinbajo (SAN) learned Attorney-General of Lagos State, adopted the plaintiff’s brief of argument and contended that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has no right to withhold the payment of fund due to the Local Government Councils from the Federation Account under Section 162 subsection (5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He submitted that the powers exercisable by the President under section 162 of the Constitution are purely executive in nature and are neither legislative nor judicial. He referred to Section 162 subsection (4) of the Constitution and argued that the provisions thereof did not give the President any discretion.”

In addition, while he was motivating state governors to improve their respective state’s generating capacity, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, last year, acknowledged that the federal government withheld Lagos local government fund in 2004, until the end of the Obasanjo government.

CONCLUSION

The federal government only withheld the Local government fund of Lagos from 2004. The Federation Account allocates revenue to each federating unit, including states and local government areas, hence, Lagos as a state would not have been denied. If it was, it would have been included in the legal dispute. Also, the LG fund withheld in 2004, was eventually released to the state. but, the Tinubu administration received all its allocations from 1999 when he became governor, till he left office in 2007. His claim that he received “zero allocation” is false.

https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/fact-check-did-tinubu-receive-zero-allocation-as-governor/?amp

Nlfpmod
Mynd44

Is it constitutional?

Have you asked yourself whether Tinubu used his personal money to run Lagos State?No.He introduce so taxes whereby,anyone found walking during Saturday's environmental sanitation will be fine 5k or go to one month jail.He also generated revenue from motorparks through MC oluomo.Every petty trader, employee and unemployed were taxed

seanfer:
Is it constitutional?

Did you not read that they were in court?

The Federal Government was challenging the powers of Lagos State to unilaterally create new Local Governments. That’s why they were in court.

And in the end, the entire money was released to Lagos State. Not a dime was remaining.

Did you not read that side?

Penguin2:
There’s a popular saying, that all it takes for evil to thrive is for good men to do nothing.

Now, I must add, that all it takes for falsehood to thrive is for truth talkers to keep quiet.

A false narrative has festered for so long. That false narrative is that Obasanjo seized ENTIRE Lagos State Allocation and Tinubu had to sustain the state through his ingenuity and IGR. But this is FALSE.

What Obasanjo seized was Local Government Allocations because Tinubu created new Local Governments which the Federal Government disagreed with and took Lagos State Government to court. So, the Federal Government thought it was right to hold onto the Local Government Allocations until the suit is decided in court.

Even this withholding of Local Government Allocation started sometimes around 2004. So, it wasn’t for 8 years. And remember that LGA funds constitute just about 20% of the funds that goes from Federal Government to Lagos State coffers.

The funds accruing to Lagos State Government was never tampered with throughout 8 years of Obasanjo’s presidency.

The question now is, why have Tinubu supporters been reinforcing the narrative that Obasanjo seized all of Lagos State’s money for 8 years?

https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/fact-check-did-tinubu-receive-zero-allocation-as-governor/?amp

Nlfpmod
Mynd44

Who emphasized anything, you are blaming others for your own ignorance?

Tinubu has always been ahead of you Political Jokers, Obasanjo in his bad belle withheld the funds because Lagos State created Local Council Development Areas in Local Governments to make governance more effective.

Why are Peter girigory Obi people bickering and blithering over Lagos

Penguin2:

Did you not read that they were in court?

The Federal Government was challenging the powers of Lagos State to unilaterally create new Local Governments. That’s why they were in court.

And in the end, the entire money was released to Lagos State. Not a dime was remaining.

Did you not read that side?

No Local Government was created, Local Council Development Areas.

Revolution2022:
Have you asked yourself whether Tinubu used his personal money to run Lagos State?No.He introduce so taxes whereby,anyone found walking during Saturday's environmental sanitation will be fine 5k or go to one month jail.He also generated revenue from motorparks through MC oluomo.Every petty trader, employee and unemployed were taxed

That’s where they learnt to tax people to death in the name of generating IGR.

Ironically, despite the huge IGR, Lagos still borrowed money more than any other state in Nigeria and are the most indebted State in Nigeria till today.

One can’t help but wonder why?

Meanwhile, Agbado munchers have been avoiding the thread like plague.

I see them peeping in and leaving without commenting.

They don’t know to spin the lies now.

Penguin2:
There’s a popular saying, that all it takes for evil to thrive is for good men to do nothing.

Now, I must add, that all it takes for falsehood to thrive is for truth talkers to keep quiet.

A false narrative has festered for so long. That false narrative is that Obasanjo seized ENTIRE Lagos State Allocation and Tinubu had to sustain the state through his ingenuity and IGR. But this is FALSE.

What Obasanjo seized was Local Government Allocations because Tinubu created new Local Governments which the Federal Government disagreed with and took Lagos State Government to court. So, the Federal Government thought it was right to hold onto the Local Government Allocations until the suit is decided in court.

Even this withholding of Local Government Allocation started sometimes around 2004. So, it wasn’t for 8 years. And remember that LGA funds constitute just about 20% of the funds that goes from Federal Government to Lagos State coffers.

The funds accruing to Lagos State Government was never tampered with throughout 8 years of Obasanjo’s presidency.

The question now is, why have Tinubu supporters been reinforcing the narrative that Obasanjo seized all of Lagos State’s money for 8 years?

https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/fact-check-did-tinubu-receive-zero-allocation-as-governor/?amp

Nlfpmod
Mynd44

It's obvious you are not from Lagos At no point in time was the seizure regarded as state but Lagos LGA withheld funds.

favor914:
No Local Government was created, Local Council Development Area.

I will pardon your poor knowledge of history.

Tinubu created Local Governments.

It was only changed to LCDAs after Supreme Court judgment.

Go and educate yourself.

Penguin2:

That’s where they learnt to tax people to death in the name of generating IGR.

Ironically, despite the huge IGR, Lagos still borrowed money more than any other state in Nigeria and are the most indebted State in Nigeria till today.

One can’t help but wonder why?

Meanwhile, Agbado munchers have been avoiding the thread like plague.

I see them peeping in and leaving without commenting.

They don’t know to spin the lies now.

Even as at that,he still took loans and Lagos State is currently the highest debtor in Nigeria.The loans were collected by Tinubu

favor914:
Who emphasized anything, you are blaming others for your own ignorance?

Tinubu has always been ahead of you Political Jokers, Obasanjo in his bad belle with held the funds because Lagos State created Local Council Development Areas in Local Governments to make governance more effective.

But all your lives you lots have been telling the world that Obasanjo seized Lagos State funds.

So you are changing mouth now?

Interesting to see you lot gasp for breath after being bursted.

Penguin2:

I will pardon your poor knowledge of history.

Tinubu created Local Governments.

It was only changed to LCDAs after Supreme Court judgment.

Go and educate yourself.

Name the Local Governments he created, Confused Shameless Wailer?

Like I said Jagaban has always been ahead of you Political Clowns, includes Pdp & Olusegun Obasanjo.

Penguin2:


But all your lives you lots have been telling the world that Obasanjo seized Lagos State funds.

So you are changing mouth now?

Interesting to see you lot gasp for breath after being bursted.

Blame others for your own ignorance, Obasanjo seized which funds?

The constitution of 1999 as Amended gives Lagos State the authority to create LCDAs.

FreeStuffsNG:
It's obvious you are not from Lagos At no point in time was the seizure regarded as state but Lagos LGA withheld funds.

Oh!

Una don dey change mouth?

Even this report I posted here, it was Tinubu himself that claimed he received “zero” allocation from Federal Government when he was governor.

This is same narrative you people have been propagating.

Which is why this news platform took it upon itself to set the record straight.

Now, you are saying another thing?

https://www.google.com/amp/s/dailypost.ng/2019/12/04/mobolaji-johnson-helped-me-rebuild-lagos-after-obasanjo-seized-our-allocation-tinubu/%3famp=1

You are still campaigning after the election?

THANK YOU FATHER

favor914:
Blame others for your own ignorance, Obasanjo seized which funds?

The constitution of 1999 as Amended gives Lagos State the authority to create LCDAs.

As usual, you can hold a logical and sane discourse without degenerating to insults.

But I won’t get into the gutter with you, never.

My question is did you read this piece that you are commenting on?

It was Tinubu himself that claimed, at a campaign ground, that he received “zero” allocation from Federal Government when he was governor of Lagos State.

He didn’t specify if it for state or LGA; he generalized. And it is the same falsehood you people have been selling to the world.

Which is why this newspaper found it imperative to set the records straight.

It’s good to see you people deny your own lies.

Penguin2:

Oh!

Una don dey change mouth?

Even this report I posted here, it was Tinubu himself that claimed he received “zero” allocation from Federal Government when he was governor.

This is same narrative you people have been propagating.

Which is why this news platform took it upon itself to set the record straight.

Now, you are saying another thing?

Sorry, I forgot most of you were too young to know what happened then and you are not from Lagos.

Here's an old thread here on Nairaland since you were not grown up then https://www.nairaland.com/68139/yaradua-orders-release-seized-lagos

Christistruth03:



https://www.google.com/amp/s/dailypost.ng/2019/12/04/mobolaji-johnson-helped-me-rebuild-lagos-after-obasanjo-seized-our-allocation-tinubu/%3famp=1

There you go with the generalization again.

The question is what allocation was seized and for how long?

Election loss still dey pain dis one like snake bite. We have trashed all these issues during campaign and right now we face governance. LG funds were seized but Jagaban did his magic without begging OBJ or dismantling the LCDA structures under pressure, he fought and won.. big ballz Jagaban!. There's one Agulu thief who collected LG funds for 8yrs but refused to conduct LG election, guyman kolobi the money ina okute stylee.

Una still de cry?

Obi no go ever be president for this life or the next one

If una like make una no move on.

Obi himself know say him no fit become president. Him job na to help Tinubu win by reducing Atiku's votes.

Make una continue de mumu una selves

FOOLS

Mumu ipob post.
If it is not Lagos funds that were withheld.Is it Agulu fund?
If you are not dull and want to prove otherwise,show records from Finance Ministry not from a blog.

See what failure have turned this people to. Failure is indeed a bastard. Failure can make people really mad as can be seen from Obi supporters since he lost election to Tinubu.

Think9ja:
Una still de cry?

Obi no go ever be president for this life or the next one

If una like make una no move on.

Obi himself know say him no fit become president. Him job na to help Tinubu win by reducing Atiku's votes.

Make una continue de mumu una selves

FOOLS

We are talking about the lies you lots have been telling and you are calling Obi.

Do you see Obi in your sleep?

Or is that you admitting that you have no defence for lying to the world all this while that Obasanjo seized all of Lagos’ money for 8 years?

Fraudnubu sef

Pakute:
Election loss still dey pain dis one like snake bite. We have trashed all these issues during campaign and right now we face governance. LG funds were seized but Jagaban did his magic without begging OBJ or dismantling the LCDA structures under pressure, he fought and won.. big ballz Jagaban!. There's one Agulu thief who collected LG funds for 8yrs but refused to conduct LG election, guyman kolobi the money ina okute stylee.

So now you accept it’s LG funds that were seized and not the entire state allocation?

Lol, why are you still crying over a forgotten matter na.
Is tinubu still campaigning?

Penguin2:

So now you accept it’s LG funds that were seized and not the entire state allocation?

Who dey follow you dey argue it wasn't LG funds?.. be like you just dey turn 18 dis year.

CannibalTorment:
Why are Peter girigory Obi people bickering and blithering over Lagos

Atiku is coming

Penguin2 seem like a guy that President Bola Tinubu has been showing shege right from when he kicked GEJ to the kerb. Twice he gave penguin2 🐧 LL and then this latest L is like the last straw that broke the eleeribu's back. Please be checking your BP o! We don't have RIP to waste. Alaye take your L in peace ☮️