Photo Credit: FCT Minister Nyesom Wike / Photo from The Sun Nigeria
Tinubu Can’t Dictate How States, LGs Spend Subsidy Proceeds – Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, says President Bola Tinubu lacks constitutional power to control how state and local governments utilize the extra funds from fuel subsidy removal.

Wike stated this on Wednesday during a media chat in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, while responding to comments made by former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, on subsidy savings.

According to Wike, the right question to ask is how sub-national governments are spending their increased allocations, not what the Federal Government is doing with its share.

He explained that once the gains from subsidy removal are shared, each tier of government is independent and decides how to spend its own money.

“Tinubu has no power to say ‘State, this is what you should do with the funds.’ He has no power to tell local governments what to do with their money. All tiers of government are independent,” Wike said.

The FCT Minister added that the removal has boosted the financial capacity of states, noting that many states that previously owed salaries and pensions and witnessed frequent strikes can now fund projects.

He commended President Tinubu for taking a bold decision that previous administrations avoided, and challenged states to account for the huge funds they now receive.
Source: The Sun Nigeria –