Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has said state governors, rather than President Bola Tinubu, should account for how funds generated from the removal of the petrol subsidy have been spent.
Abiodun made the remarks while speaking at an All Progressives Congress (APC) rally held at the Dipo Dina International Stadium in Ijebu-Ode.
The governor argued that state governments were better placed to explain how the funds had been utilised, noting that subsidy removal had increased allocations to states and enabled them to finance infrastructure and other development projects.
Speaking in Yoruba, Abiodun said, “They said they want to return the subsidy. Are they mad? They were asking our leader to explain what he did with subsidy removal gains.
“It is we, the governors, who should give such explanations because we are the ones collecting the money. Besides, what have we been using to build roads and schools, provide decent housing and give incentives to farmers? Isn’t it from the subsidy?”
His comments come amid criticism from former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), over the Tinubu administration’s handling of funds generated by the subsidy removal.
Atiku has alleged that the administration failed to adequately account for the savings from the policy and has pledged to restore the petrol subsidy if elected president.
Tinubu, however, rejected the proposal, describing it as evidence of “serious ignorance of governance and economy.” The president also argued that some states were struggling to pay salaries and pensions before he assumed office.
Meanwhile, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, said on August 19 that the removal of the petrol subsidy had mobilised N15.8 trillion for the federation between June 2023 and December 2025.
