Allegations that some governors are diverting public funds to finance political campaigns and protect their political influence ahead of the 2027 elections are serious enough to warrant investigation by anti-corruption agencies, according to analyst Dayo Sobowale.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE News, Sobowale said any confirmed misuse of public resources for political purposes would amount to criminal abuse of office.
“Using public funds to perpetuate state power is criminal,” he said.
Sobowale explained that while the allegations remain unproven, the implications are severe because public funds are meant for governance and development rather than political survival.
“It is unethical, it is criminal, it is illegal,” he stated.
According to him, incumbent political office holders who allegedly divert state resources for campaigns undermine democratic accountability and public trust.
“It is unheard of for you to be using such funds to perpetuate your state power,” he said.
Sobowale said that the allegations made by opposition figures and civil society groups should not be dismissed casually, especially given Nigeria’s history of corruption concerns.
“There is no smoke without fire,” he stated.
However, he stressed that the burden of proof remains on those making the accusations.
“The responsibility for proving it is on the people making the allegations,” he said.
According to Sobowale, anti-corruption agencies such as the EFCC and the police still have a duty to examine the claims rather than ignore them completely.
“They cannot close their eyes or their ears to what is on the ground,” he stated.
He explained that institutions responsible for transparency and accountability must now demonstrate credibility by responding to the allegations through proper investigations.
“The burden of transparency and accountability is in the box of the EFCC and the government,” he said.
Sobowale also urged governors and public officials accused indirectly or directly of abuse of office to publicly respond to the allegations.
“I will expect the governors to respond,” he stated.
According to him, silence from accountability institutions could further deepen public distrust in anti-corruption enforcement.
“That is why they function as institutions to fight corruption,” he said while referring to agencies such as the EFCC and ICPC.
Sobowale further argued that political tensions ahead of the 2027 elections are likely to intensify allegations, propaganda, and public accusations among rival political camps.
“This momentum will continue,” he stated.
He said that Nigeria has now entered an intense political period where accusations and counter-accusations will increasingly shape public debate.
“We are in political times,” he said.
Despite the political undertones surrounding the allegations, Sobowale maintained that any proven misuse of public funds must be treated as a criminal matter rather than ordinary political rhetoric.
“This is criminal,” he added.
Sobowale concluded that while allegations of governors using public funds for political campaigns must still be proven, anti-corruption agencies and accountability institutions cannot afford to ignore the claims, warning that failure to investigate credible accusations could further weaken public trust in governance and democratic institutions.
By Ojo Triumph
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