Ogun Governor: We Collect the Money, We Should Explain How It’s Spent
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has said state governors, rather than President Bola Tinubu, should be held responsible for explaining how the additional funds accruing from the removal of petrol subsidy are being spent.
Abiodun made the remarks on Thursday at an All Progressives Congress (APC) rally held at the Dipo Dina International Stadium, Ijebu-Ode.
Speaking in Yoruba, the governor argued that governors were better positioned to account for the funds because the removal of the subsidy had increased allocations to states.
He was reacting to criticisms from opposition figures demanding accountability over the financial gains from the subsidy removal.
“They want to bring back subsidy. Are they mad? They were asking our leader to explain what he did with subsidy removal gains.
“It is we (governors) that should make such explanations because it is we, state governors, that collect the money,” Abiodun said.
The governor said the funds had been deployed by state governments to finance infrastructure and various support programmes.
He cited the construction of airports, roads, schools and housing, as well as incentives for farmers, as some of the areas where the additional resources had been utilised.
“Besides, what have we been using to build airport, road, schools, housing and incentives for farmers? Isn’t it from subsidy?” he asked.
Abiodun also used the occasion to dismiss the chances of opposition parties in the 2027 general elections, boasting that the APC would defeat its rivals.
“Go and tell your people that all of them are not up to one. We will defeat them mercilessly,” he declared.
The controversy over the financial benefits of petrol subsidy removal has remained a major political issue ahead of the 2027 elections, with opposition figures demanding greater transparency on how the additional revenue available to governments is being spent.
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has been among those calling for greater accountability over the funds and has also advocated a form of fuel subsidy if elected president.
The Tinubu administration has, however, consistently defended the June 2023 decision to end the petrol subsidy, arguing that it freed resources previously used to keep petrol prices artificially low.
Finance Minister, Taiwo Oyedele, said in August that the removal of the subsidy saved the federation N15.8 trillion between June 2023 and December 2025.
