PORT HARCOURT, RIVERS STATE — Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has responded to criticism by Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi over the management of funds accruing from the removal of fuel subsidy.

Wike said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu does not have the constitutional power to dictate how state and local governments spend their allocations, arguing that the different tiers of government are independent. He made the remarks on Wednesday during a media parley in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

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According to Wike, Obi should instead be asking state and local governments how they have utilised the additional revenue they began receiving following the removal of the petrol subsidy.

“All he should have asked is, ‘Having removed the subsidy, what do you do with the gains?’ This is what I think a reasonable person should talk about.”

Wike: Tinubu Cannot Direct States on Spending

The former Rivers State governor maintained that although the Federal Government has overseen the distribution of increased revenue among the sub-national governments, it cannot determine precisely how those funds should be spent.

“Tinubu has no power to say, ‘State, this is what you should do with the funds that you’ve brought in from the fuel subsidy.’ He has no power to tell local governments what to do with their money. All tiers of government are independent.”

Wike therefore challenged state governments to demonstrate how the additional funds have translated into tangible improvements for residents.

Higher Allocations Have Improved State Finances — Wike

The FCT Minister argued that the increased allocations available to states have strengthened their ability to meet recurrent obligations and execute development projects.

He noted that some state governments that previously struggled to pay workers’ salaries and pensions now have greater financial capacity.

“Today states are saying, unlike before, we can’t pay salaries or pensions, and there are strikes all over the place. Now there are no strikes; there are advantages. Now, I have money to carry out projects.”

Wike, however, stressed that the availability of additional revenue should come with greater accountability from state governments.

Wike Praises Tinubu Over Subsidy Removal

The FCT Minister also defended President Tinubu’s decision to remove the petrol subsidy, describing it as a bold economic decision that previous administrations had been unwilling to take.

“Tinubu deserves kudos for taking the bold decision no president took. Now, it’s time for states to account for the funds they have gotten.”

His comments come amid continued debate over whether the increased revenues generated after subsidy removal have sufficiently improved living conditions for Nigerians.