The Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG) has accused opposition politicians of engaging in what it described as “scandal-fishing” in a bid to discredit the administration of President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Emeka Nwankpa, and Secretary, Dapo Okubanjo, the group alleged that the opposition had resorted to what it called “scandal shopping” after concluding that it would be difficult to defeat President Tinubu at the polls.
According to the group, Nigerians should expect more attempts by opposition figures to misrepresent facts and amplify unverified information about the government.
TMSG cited recent comments by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) observations regarding the 2026 budget as an example.
The group noted that the IMF had identified what it described as a discrepancy of N8.83 trillion, or about two per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), in the 2026 budget, stating that the expenditure was executed outside the formal budget process, while also acknowledging that the government was revising relevant laws to capture such spending.
It, however, pointed to the Federal Government’s response through Finance Minister Taiwo Oyedele, who clarified that the N8 trillion expenditure comprised statutory transfers, intervention funds backed by Acts of Parliament, capital expenditure approved in separate budgets for some agencies and the Federal Capital Territory, as well as other legally recognised first line charges.
According to the group, such expenditures are routine components of Nigeria’s budgeting process and should not be misrepresented for political purposes.
TMSG questioned why a former Vice President would, in its view, seek to make political capital out of the issue, despite his experience in government.
The group also criticised comments by Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, describing his understanding of governance at the federal level as limited.
TMSG further dismissed the African Democratic Congress’ (ADC) allegation that President Tinubu was responsible for plunging 17 million Nigerians into acute hunger, describing the claim as a distortion of facts.
According to the group, the ADC misrepresented a United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) report, which stated that more than 17 million people across nine conflict affected northern states were facing acute hunger.
It argued that the humanitarian situation highlighted by the UN agency was linked to insecurity in the affected areas and not solely to the policies of the Tinubu administration.
The group maintained that the Federal Government was addressing the security challenges through both kinetic and non kinetic measures and accused opposition politicians of exploiting humanitarian issues for political advantage ahead of the 2027 elections.
