Dino Melaye Slams Tinubu Over Reckless Borrowing and Wasteful Spending
Former senator Dino Melaye has launched a fresh attack on President Bola Tinubu, accusing his administration of reckless borrowing, wasteful spending, and insensitivity to the economic hardship faced by Nigerians.
Speaking during an interview with ARISE News, Melaye said Tinubu’s government has continued to borrow heavily despite rising revenue inflows. According to him, Nigeria’s debt profile is increasing at an alarming rate, with no clear plan to address the suffering of citizens.
He questioned why the government recently sought a $1.7 billion loan from the World Bank, while the Senate has already approved over $21 billion in foreign borrowings. Melaye described Tinubu’s style of governance as “one of the most reckless in Nigeria’s history.”
The former Kogi West lawmaker also faulted the purchase of a presidential yacht and a new aircraft shortly after Tinubu assumed office. He argued that such expenditures were unnecessary when millions of Nigerians are battling hunger and poverty. Melaye claimed the yacht has never been used in Nigerian waters, but rather stationed around Monaco and Paris.
He further alleged that the presidential jet, which officials described as a gift, was in fact purchased. According to him, any genuine gift should be declared openly. He recalled how former Petroleum Minister Tam David-West was once removed from office over failure to declare a wristwatch gift.
Melaye criticized Tinubu’s choice of official vehicle, noting that past Nigerian leaders used the Mercedes Benz S-Class, but Tinubu opted for a bomb-jammer Mercedes Benz, the same type used by former U.S. President Donald Trump. He questioned why a government claiming to curb wastage would indulge in such luxury.
Turning to the legislature, Melaye accused Tinubu of financially compromising lawmakers to secure loyalty. He pointed out that the National Assembly budget has risen from ₦150 billion during the 8th Senate to over ₦370 billion under Tinubu. According to him, this has turned lawmakers into “a department of the villa.”
In a sarcastic tone, he warned that with the current trend, Nigerians should not be surprised if Tinubu resorts to borrowing from digital lenders like Opay and Moniepoint.
Melaye also spoke on opposition politics, declaring that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is “dead and buried,” alleging that it has been hijacked by the ruling APC. He insisted that his new political home, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), is the only platform strong enough to defeat Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
“I am a proud member of the ADC. By the grace of God, it is the party that will unseat Tinubu and send APC packing from the villa come May 29, 2027,” he said.
On a personal note, Melaye revealed that his brief withdrawal from politics was deliberate, as he focused on completing his education. He disclosed that he has now been called to the bar, describing it as one of his proudest achievements.
His comments add to the growing criticism of Tinubu’s leadership as Nigerians continue to demand solutions to rising inflation, food shortages, and worsening insecurity.
