Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has said state governors, rather than President Bola Tinubu, should be held responsible for explaining how the financial gains from petrol subsidy removal are being spent.
Abiodun made the remarks on Thursday during an All Progressives Congress (APC) rally at the Dipo Dina International Stadium in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.
Speaking in Yoruba, the governor argued that state governors were better positioned to explain how the additional funds generated following the removal of the petrol subsidy had been utilised.
Responding to calls for President Tinubu to explain what had been achieved with the funds saved from subsidy removal, Abiodun said the governors were the ones receiving increased allocations from the federation.
“They want to bring back subsidy. Are they mad? They were asking our leader to explain what he did with subsidy removal gains,” he said.
According to the governor, the responsibility for accounting for the funds should largely rest with state governments because of the increase in allocations received by states after the subsidy was removed.
“It is we (governors) that should make such explanations because it is we, state governors, that collect the money,” Abiodun said.
Dapo Abiodun further argued that states had been using the additional resources to finance infrastructure and various support programmes.
He cited projects and initiatives involving airports, roads, schools, housing and support for farmers as examples of areas where the increased revenue had been deployed.
“Besides, what have we been using to build airport, road, schools, housing and incentives for farmers? Isn’t it from subsidy?” he asked.
The governor’s comments come amid growing political debate over how the additional revenue available to federal and state governments following subsidy removal has been spent.
At the APC rally, Dapo Abiodun also dismissed the prospects of opposition parties in the 2027 General Elections, expressing confidence that the ruling party would defeat its rivals.
“Go and tell your people that all of them are not up to one. We will defeat them mercilessly,” he said.
His remarks come as political parties and major political figures intensify preparations for the 2027 elections.
The financial impact and consequences of petrol subsidy removal have emerged as major issues in Nigeria’s political debate ahead of the 2027 elections.
Opposition figures have questioned how the additional revenue available to governments has been utilised, while some have advocated alternative approaches to petrol pricing and subsidy policy.
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has been among those calling for greater accountability over the funds. He has also proposed a return to a form of fuel subsidy if elected president.
The Tinubu administration has consistently defended the decision to remove the petrol subsidy in 2023, arguing that it freed resources that had previously been used to keep petrol prices artificially low.
Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, said in August that subsidy removal saved the federation N15.8 trillion between June 2023 and December 2025.
The debate over how those savings and increased government revenues have been deployed is expected to remain a prominent issue as Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 General Elections.
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