Makinde asks Tinubu to show funding for planned Army expansion

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has asked the Federal Government to disclose the provision made in the 2026 budget for its proposed expansion of Army divisions. Makinde, who is the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), said announcing new or expanded military formations without identifying the funding and operational plans would not be sufficient to address insecurity. He spoke on Monday at an APM North-central Town Hall Meeting in Lafia, Nasarawa State.

The Federal Government has proposed establishing and expanding military formations as part of its response to terrorism, banditry and other criminality, particularly in affected areas. Makinde said he had examined the 2026 budget but could not find an item relating to the expansion of the Army divisions. He called on the administration to make the relevant provision public if it was included in the budget.

The governor said an effective security response required a clear funding structure, detailed operational planning and consultation with communities affected by insecurity. He contrasted this with consultations his administration had begun across Oyo State’s geopolitical zones ahead of its 2027 budget. Makinde also questioned whether increased allocations to state governments from the Federation Account had improved living conditions.

He said Oyo depended on federal allocation for more than 80% of its revenue when he assumed office in 2019, and that the figure fell to about 65% by 2022 before rising to almost 80% again. He attributed the reversal to what he called the Federal Government’s “voodoo economy” and said higher revenues had not ended hunger. Makinde also outlined the APM’s “Reset Nigeria” agenda, covering security, education, the economy and the country’s socio-political environment.

He said it could be implemented within four years and proposed a transitional Government of National Unity from May 29, 2027, if elected.