Former Senator Dino Melaye has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration of reckless governance, excessive borrowing, and wasteful spending, describing it as one of the most irresponsible governments in Nigeria’s history. Speaking during an interview on Arise Television on Monday, September 8, 2025 from 13:38, Melaye raised concerns over recent loans and purchases made by the federal government despite earlier promises to cut wastage and reduce borrowing.
“Why is the president borrowing 1.7 billion from World Bank? He also said that they have stopped borrowing. Maybe that is not correct. I just gave you that figure now. Why is the president, why did he borrow 1.7 billion dollars from the World Bank? Why has the senate approved 21 billion dollars so far and with many others coming for consideration?” Melaye asked. He further alleged that additional loan requests are being processed, warning that the government is leading Nigeria into deeper debt. “Many others are still coming for consideration and this government is one of the most reckless governments in the history of this country,” he said.
The former lawmaker also criticized the president’s alleged purchase of a yacht, questioning its necessity at a time of widespread economic hardship: “The president who said he wanted to come and curb wastages bought a yacht. That yacht that the president bought has never been to the perimeter, territorial area of Nigeria. It’s between Monaco and Paris and what do we need a yacht for in a time of austerity, in a time of pervasive hunger like this?”
Melaye alleged further that a presidential jet was purchased without proper appropriation by the National Assembly. “The president also within few months in office bought a presidential jet that cost Nigeria billions. I am telling you that it was purchased. Gift by who? Gifts are to be declared. A president who gets a gift, why was Tom David West removed from office? It was because he got a gift of a gold wristwatch that was not declared. If you have a gift declared, who gave it to you? And they called it a gift because the money used in the purchase of that aircraft was not appropriated by the national assembly. That is why it was tagged a gift,” he explained.
Melaye also faulted Tinubu’s choice of official vehicles, contrasting it with past leaders: “Then again, since Tafa Balewa down to Buhari, every president and prime minister in this country use Mercedes Benz S class as their official vehicle. The president is using a Bomb jammer Mercedes Benz, the same type that Trump is using in America. And you say you want to curb wastages?”
