Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has said state governors should be the ones explaining how the financial gains from petrol subsidy removal are being spent, rather than President Bola Tinubu.
Abiodun made the statement on Thursday while speaking at an All Progressives Congress rally held at the Dipo Dina International Stadium in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.
The governor argued that the increase in allocations to states following the removal of the petrol subsidy makes governors better positioned to explain how the additional funds are being utilised.
Speaking in Yoruba, Abiodun defended the subsidy removal and questioned calls for the Federal Government to account for the savings generated by the policy.
According to him, state governments have benefited from increased allocations and have channelled the resources into various development projects.
Abiodun cited the construction of airports, roads, schools and housing projects, as well as incentives for farmers, as some of the areas where the additional revenue has been used.
The governor therefore maintained that governors should be held responsible for explaining how their respective states have utilised the funds.
The management of funds generated after the removal of petrol subsidy has increasingly become a major political issue ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Opposition politicians have repeatedly questioned how the additional revenue available to the three tiers of government has been spent.
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has also demanded greater accountability over the gains from subsidy removal while proposing a return to a form of fuel subsidy if elected president.
The President Bola Tinubu administration has consistently defended the decision to remove petrol subsidy in 2023.
The Federal Government has argued that the policy ended the use of public funds to keep petrol prices artificially low and released resources for other areas of government spending.
Finance Minister, Taiwo Oyedele, said in August that the subsidy removal generated savings of N15.8 trillion for the federation between June 2023 and December 2025.
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The figures have continued to fuel debate over how the savings and increased government revenues have been distributed and utilised.
Beyond the subsidy debate, Abiodun also used the APC rally to express confidence in the party’s chances ahead of the 2027 elections.
The Ogun governor dismissed the prospects of opposition parties and declared that the APC would defeat its rivals at the polls.
His comments come as political parties intensify preparations and mobilisation ahead of the next general elections.
