Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has accused the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari of selling Nigeria’s crude oil in advance, claiming that the Bola Tinubu-led government is still bearing the financial burden of the arrangement.
Mutfwang made the allegation on Monday during the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council for the 2027 general elections at the Government House, Rayfield, Jos.
The governor blamed some of Nigeria’s current economic difficulties on decisions taken by the previous administration, insisting that the Tinubu government inherited serious financial challenges when it assumed office in May 2023.
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According to him, the Buhari administration reached a point where it struggled to manage the country’s finances and resorted to selling crude oil that had not yet been extracted.
“Part of the problem of the Buhari regime is that they got to a point that they didn’t know what to do, so they sold our future crude.
“The crude we are yet to dig from the ground has been sold in advance. And today we are paying that debt. And so we cannot expect things to simply change overnight,” Mutfwang said.
Mutfwang Calls Fuel Subsidy a National Fraud
The Plateau governor also criticised the fuel subsidy system operated under the previous administration, describing it as a national fraud sustained through government borrowing.
He alleged that some individuals submitted fictitious documents to claim subsidy payments, thereby increasing the financial burden on the country.
Mutfwang argued that the decision by President Tinubu to remove the subsidy was necessary, although he acknowledged that the policy came with economic difficulties.
“When the President took over at that time, there was a national fraud that was taking place called fuel subsidy. I say it was a fraud because we were borrowing money to pay people who brought fictitious documents,” he stated.
He added that ending the subsidy arrangement would require a recovery period before Nigerians could fully experience the benefits of the government’s economic reforms.
The governor further maintained that fuel availability had improved since the removal of the subsidy, despite the continued increase in pump prices.
According to him, Nigerians previously spent several days queuing at filling stations without being certain of getting petrol.
Governor Defends Tinubu’s Economic Reforms
Mutfwang also defended the economic policies of the Tinubu administration, claiming that Nigeria’s external reserves had increased to more than $50 billion.
He recalled that the country faced serious foreign exchange challenges when Tinubu assumed office in 2023, making it difficult for some international businesses and airlines to repatriate their earnings.
The governor said the situation had improved significantly, arguing that the current administration should be given more time for its policies to produce results.
Meanwhile, Mutfwang highlighted several initiatives introduced by his administration to reduce the impact of economic hardship on residents of Plateau State.
These include the introduction of Tin City Metro buses, the revival of rail services within Jos, a 50 per cent reduction in tuition fees at state-owned tertiary institutions and a 300 per cent increase in student allowances.
He also identified the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as one of the Federal Government’s interventions supporting Plateau indigenes in tertiary institutions.
Mutfwang Seeks Support for Tinubu’s Second Term
Speaking on the 2027 general elections, the governor called on Nigerians to support President Tinubu’s re-election bid, arguing that the country’s political leadership should respect the principle of power rotation between the North and South.
He maintained that since the North had completed eight years in power, it was fair for the South to enjoy another eight-year tenure.
“We must agree that power should rotate between the North and the South. And if the North spends 8 years, which we have nothing to show for, it is only fair that we allow the South to do another 8 years,” he said.
Mutfwang expressed confidence that the APC would secure victory in Plateau State in 2027, urging party members to intensify grassroots mobilisation and conduct peaceful, issue-based campaigns.
Earlier, the Director-General of the Mutfwang/Piyo 2027 Governorship Campaign Council, Sir Joseph N. Ari, disclosed that 115 support groups had indicated interest in supporting the campaign.
Ari pledged that the council would operate with discipline, teamwork and responsibility ahead of the elections.
He also urged APC members to participate in the planned November 14, 2026, visit of President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, APC National Chairman Professor Nentawe Yilwatda and other party leaders to Plateau State.
The Plateau APC Chairman, Rufus Bature, described the inauguration of the campaign council as an important step towards building a coordinated political structure for the 2027 elections.
