By Our Correspondent
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has said state governors should be held accountable for the benefits accruing to states from the removal of the petrol subsidy, rather than President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Abiodun made the remark while speaking on the economic implications of the Federal Government’s decision to end the long-standing fuel subsidy regime, stressing that the policy has significantly changed the financial position of state governments across the country.
According to the governor, the removal of the subsidy has resulted in increased funds being distributed to the three tiers of government through the Federation Account. He argued that governors therefore have a responsibility to explain how the additional resources are being deployed for the benefit of citizens.
The governor noted that while the subsidy removal has placed considerable pressure on households and businesses, it has also created an opportunity for governments at the state and local levels to invest more in infrastructure and social services.
Abiodun maintained that Nigerians should demand accountability from their state governments over the additional revenue available to them since the subsidy was removed.
He said the President should not be made the sole target of criticism over the economic consequences of the policy, pointing out that the revenue gains are distributed among the federal, state and local governments.
The governor’s position comes amid continuing public debate over the impact of subsidy removal on the cost of living, transportation, food prices and household incomes.
Since the policy change, Nigerians have experienced significant increases in the cost of petrol and transportation, while businesses have also faced higher operating expenses. The development has fuelled calls for stronger measures to cushion the effects of the reforms.
Abiodun argued that increased government revenue should translate into tangible improvements in the lives of citizens.
He stressed that state governments must demonstrate how the additional resources are being used to provide roads, healthcare, education, security, water supply and other essential services.
The governor’s comments effectively shift part of the accountability conversation from the Federal Government to the states, where citizens can directly assess the impact of increased allocations on development projects and public services.
He urged Nigerians to look beyond political arguments and focus on how public resources are being managed at every level of government.
The removal of the petrol subsidy by the Tinubu administration remains one of the most consequential economic decisions in Nigeria in recent years.
Supporters of the policy have argued that continuing the subsidy was financially unsustainable and placed a huge burden on government finances. They maintain that redirecting subsidy funds towards development could create greater long-term economic benefits.
Critics, however, have pointed to the immediate hardship caused by higher petrol prices, particularly for low-income households and small businesses that depend heavily on transportation and fuel.
The controversy has therefore continued to centre on whether the additional government revenue is translating into meaningful improvements in citizens’ welfare.
For Abiodun, the debate should now include a closer examination of how states are spending the money they receive.
He stressed the importance of transparency and accountability, suggesting that governors should be prepared to explain to their citizens what has been achieved with increased allocations.
As Nigerians continue to grapple with economic pressures, the governor’s remarks are likely to intensify discussions about the responsibilities of the different tiers of government.
The bigger question, therefore, is no longer simply who should take responsibility for the removal of the subsidy, but whether the increased revenue generated since the policy was introduced is being converted into visible development and improved living conditions for Nigerians.
With the economic reform debate showing no sign of disappearing, governors across the country may increasingly face pressure from citizens to provide clear accounts of how their states are benefiting from the post-subsidy revenue regime.
