President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reiterated his firm belief that in the Nigerian federation, the centre should not be seen to be bullying the component states. Rather, he called on Nigerians to hold governors accountable if they’re found wanting in attending to their welfare.
President Tinubu made the appeal Thursday at the Presidential Villa while responding to the request of some Islamic scholars that the Federal Government should monitor the distribution of palliatives given to states to cushion the effects of removal of fuel subsidy.
Tinubu, a democrat, said he could not give order to the states as they are closer to the people in a constitutional democracy. According to him, he could only appeal to governors to implement the orders given to them.
According to him: “The people reside in the states. Even if I set up a panel, I will have to go through the governors and the local governments. We will continue to talk to the governors. Nigerians must hold them accountable.
“It’s unheard of that in a constitutional democracy; a president will sit here and give orders to states. I can only appeal to them to implement. The people reside in the states, and if the governor is not doing well, the people must vote them out,” he said.
The Federal Government had made provision for palliatives worth N5 billion for each state to cushion the effect of subsidy removal but there have been concerns that some governors might abuse the process.
