Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has said state governors, rather than President Bola Tinubu, should explain how the financial gains arising from the removal of petrol subsidy are being utilised.
Abiodun made the remarks on Thursday at an All Progressives Congress (APC) rally held at the Dipo Dina International Stadium in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.
The governor, who spoke in Yoruba, argued that governors were better positioned to account for the additional resources generated by the policy because the removal of the subsidy had resulted in increased allocations to state governments.
According to him, it was therefore inappropriate to demand that President Tinubu explain how the additional funds received by states had been spent.
“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,” Abiodun said.
“It is we, the governors, that should make such explanations because it is we, state governors, that collect the money,” he added.
Abiodun maintained that the increased revenue accruing to states had enabled governors to undertake various developmental projects and support programmes.
He specifically cited the construction of roads, schools and housing, as well as incentives for farmers, as some of the areas where the additional funds had been deployed.
“Besides, what have we been using to build roads, schools, provide good housing and incentives for farmers? Isn’t it from subsidy?” the governor asked.
The remarks come amid renewed political debate over the economic impact of the Federal Government’s decision to remove petrol subsidy and how the resulting increase in government revenue has been distributed and utilised.
The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has been critical of the subsidy removal policy and has proposed restoring the subsidy if elected president in 2027.
The Tinubu administration, however, has defended the policy as necessary to improve the country’s fiscal position and redirect resources towards development.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, had disclosed that reforms involving petrol subsidy removal and foreign exchange liberalisation generated N15.8 trillion for the federation between June 2023 and December 2025.
The Federal Government has said the resources were deployed, alongside other revenues, to fund areas including wages and pensions, infrastructure, agricultural interventions, student loans, housing initiatives and social support programmes.
Abiodun also used the APC rally to express confidence in the party’s prospects ahead of the 2027 general elections, declaring that the ruling party would defeat its political opponents.
The governor’s comments are expected to further fuel the ongoing national conversation over the management of revenues generated following the removal of petrol subsidy and the extent to which Nigerians have benefited from the policy.