‘President Tinubu cannot tell states what to do with subsidy funds’ — Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has pushed back against calls for the Federal Government to control how states and local governments spend the additional revenue they receive following the removal of fuel subsidy.

Wike said President Bola Tinubu does not have the constitutional power to determine how sub-national governments utilise their share of the increased allocations.

The former Rivers State governor made the statement on Wednesday during a media parley in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, while reacting to comments by former Anambra State governor and 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, on the management of subsidy removal gains.

According to Wike, the focus should not be on questioning the Federal Government over subsidy removal but on demanding accountability from states and local governments that received increased revenues.

“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 said.

He argued that the increase in federal allocations had improved the financial position of many states, especially those previously struggling with salary and pension payments.

“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,” he added.

Wike also defended Tinubu’s decision to remove fuel subsidy, describing it as a bold move that previous administrations avoided because of its political consequences.

“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,” he said.

The subsidy debate has gained fresh attention ahead of the 2027 general elections, with opposition figures divided over the policy.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has maintained that he would restore fuel subsidy if elected president, arguing that Nigerians should not be left to bear the burden of rising costs.

Wike, however, insisted that the focus should shift towards how governments at all levels manage the resources available to them after the subsidy removal.