Governors, not Tinubu, should account for subsidy gains – Abiodun

FILE: Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has said state governors, rather than President Bola Tinubu, should explain how the gains from petrol subsidy removal are being spent.

Abiodun spoke on Thursday at an All Progressives Congress rally at the Dipo Dina International Stadium in Ijebu-Ode, according to a video of the event shared online by Mirage Eye.

Speaking in Yoruba, Abiodun said governors were better placed to account for the funds because increased allocations to states had resulted 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,” he said.

Abiodun added that the funds had been used to finance infrastructure and support programmes in the states.

“Besides, what have we been using to build airport, road, schools, housing and incentives for farmers? Isn’t it from subsidy?” he asked.

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The governor also dismissed the chances of opposition parties in the 2027 elections, saying 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 said.

The controversy over the financial impact of petrol subsidy removal has become a major issue in the build-up to the 2027 elections, with opposition figures questioning how the additional revenue available to governments has been used.

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has been among those calling for greater accountability over the funds, while also proposing a return to a form of fuel subsidy if elected president.

The Tinubu administration has defended the 2023 decision to end the subsidy, arguing that it freed up resources that were previously spent on keeping petrol prices artificially low.

The Federal Government has also provided figures on the savings, with Finance Minister Taiwo Oyedele saying in August that the removal of the subsidy saved the federation N15.8tn between June 2023 and December 2025.