Presidency defends Tinubu’s Executive Order, says it aligns with constitution
Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communications, has defended Executive Order 9, insisting that the directive is consistent with the 1999 Constitution and does not amount to an overreach of executive authority.
The presidential aide spoke in a post on his verified X handle on Monday, following criticism that the order amounts to the President “making law”.
President Tinubu had, last Wednesday, signed Executive Order 9 of 2026, formally titled Presidential Executive Order to Safeguard Federation Oil and Gas Revenues and Provide Regulatory Clarity.
Addressing the concerns, Dare said claims that the order violates constitutional boundaries misrepresent both the Constitution and the fiscal framework governing public revenue.
Quoting Section 80(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), he said: “Section 80(1) of the Constitution (1999, as amended) is mandatory: all revenues or other moneys raised or received by the Federation shall be paid into and form one Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation.”
He added that public funds cannot be retained or applied outside constitutionally recognised accounts, noting that Section 162 of the Constitution further requires revenues accruing to the Federation to be paid into the Federation Account for distribution.
