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Wike to Governors: Account for Subsidy Funds, Stop Hiding Behind NGF

Published

1 month ago

September 2, 2026

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike

Wike to Governors: Account for Subsidy Funds, Stop Hiding Behind NGF

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike challenges state governors to account individually for increased allocations from petrol subsidy removal, insists President Tinubu has no power to dictate sub-national spending, and takes aim at opposition figures Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi over their policy positions.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has issued a direct challenge to state governors across Nigeria, demanding that they publicly account for how they have spent the additional revenues received following the removal of the petrol subsidy. Speaking during a media chat with journalists in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Wednesday, Wike said each state government, rather than the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), should explain to its citizens how the increased funds had been used. He argued that the additional allocations to the three tiers of government had given states greater capacity to fund projects, pay salaries and pensions, and improve public services. According to him, the NGF, as an association, could not replace individual governors’ responsibility to account to their citizens.

“What you call the Nigerian Governors’ Forum is an association. I’m a governor of State A, I should be able to defend my State A,” Wike said. He added that governors were elected by the people of their respective states and should therefore answer directly to them. “Rivers State Government is accountable to the citizens of Rivers State. Anambra State Government is accountable because they have been elected by citizens of those states, not by the entire Federation of Nigeria,” he stated. Wike said governors should be able to point to projects and programmes financed with the additional revenue generated after the subsidy removal. “If Governor Diri says, ‘Look, challenge me. The money that came, see what I’ve done for Bayelsa State,’ fine,” he said, referring to Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri.

Wike defended President Bola Tinubu’s decision to remove the petrol subsidy, saying it had increased revenues available to the federal, state and local governments. According to him, the impact of the policy should be assessed by what governments had achieved with the additional resources. “Today, the states are saying, unlike before, we can’t pay salaries, we can’t pay pensions, strikes all over the places. Are there strikes again now? They can tell you, no,” he said. He maintained that governments at all levels must remain accountable for how the additional funds were spent.

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Wike also responded to comments by the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, on the management of funds from subsidy removal. According to Wike, Obi should have directed his questions to state and local governments rather than the federal government. “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 said. The FCT minister emphasised that President Tinubu has no constitutional authority to dictate how states and local governments spend their allocations. “Now, the government has said the gains have been shared among sub-nationals. 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 explained.

Wike also criticised politicians who, he said, changed their positions on major policy issues to suit political interests. “One thing you must take me on is that I am a consistent politician,” he said. He questioned politicians who had previously supported subsidy removal but later promised to restore it during election campaigns. “If a candidate says yesterday, at the moment you have your vote for me, I’m going to remove subsidy; today the candidate says, ‘No, vote for me, I’m going to bring back subsidy,’ I mean, what kind of candidate is that?” he asked. He said political candidates should clearly explain their policy positions rather than make campaign promises aimed solely at attracting votes.

Wike specifically targeted former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, who recently pledged to restore the subsidy if elected in 2027. Wike recalled that Atiku had, in 2022, advocated the removal of fuel subsidy, describing it as fraudulent. “Now, in 2026, he is not going to remove the fuel subsidy. Is he going back to the fraud, which he had alleged that fuel subsidy was?” Wike asked. He described Atiku as a “voodoo economist” who, in his view, says whatever he believes will appeal to voters. “Atiku, who is confused, who acts like a voodoo economist, Atiku will say anything just to be president,” Wike said. He argued that consistency was essential for anyone seeking to lead the country, accusing Atiku of changing his position depending on the political circumstances.

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The FCT minister also questioned how a future government would operate a petrol subsidy under Nigeria’s current petroleum industry structure. He pointed to the commercialisation of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and the emergence of private refineries, particularly the Dangote Refinery. According to Wike, NNPCL is no longer the sole importer or producer of petroleum products, making the traditional subsidy arrangement more complicated. “He is living in the past. If not, he will know that with the Petroleum Industry Act, NNPC is now fully commercialised. It has transformed the old NNPC into a limited liability company (NNPC Limited), and no longer the sole importer or producer of fuel,” he said. Wike asked whether a government led by Atiku would subsidise petrol produced by private refiners. “Will Atiku, as President (which he never be) pay subsidy on fuel produced by Dangote Refinery?” he asked. He argued that restoring fuel subsidies would reverse the market-oriented reforms introduced under the Petroleum Industry Act and could discourage investment in the petroleum sector.

The subsidy debate has resurfaced ahead of the 2027 general elections, with major opposition figures taking different positions on the policy. Atiku Abubakar said in an August 25 post on X that he remained committed to restoring the subsidy if elected. “On the question of subsidy, my position has not changed and will not change: I will restore it! A nation as blessed as ours has no business abandoning its citizens to hardship. Nigeria is rich enough to look after her own,” Atiku wrote. Peter Obi, however, has maintained his support for the removal of the subsidy, arguing that alleged mismanagement of its proceeds should not be used as justification for returning to the subsidy regime. Speaking during a panel session at the Nigerian Bar Association Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt on August 25, Obi said the removal was necessary but should have been accompanied by a clear and organised plan for deploying the resources recovered from the policy.

President Tinubu announced the end of the petrol subsidy during his inauguration on 29 May 2023, declaring “Fuel subsidy is gone.” The policy has remained one of the defining economic decisions of his administration. Tinubu has repeatedly urged state governments to ensure the increased allocations translate into tangible development. On 30 July, while receiving a delegation of traditional rulers from Oyo State, the President said states were now receiving four to five times what they previously received from the Federation Account. “The cost of operation is high. But the money that I’m pushing to the states, if you had it during your own time, or during my time, it would have been different. They are taking four to five times their money. Nobody is borrowing money to pay salaries now. Pensioners are receiving their pay,” Tinubu said.

Responding to concerns that infrastructure development in Abuja had not translated into better living conditions, Wike disagreed with the view that housing alone should be used to measure residents’ quality of life. He said investments in roads, public transportation and other public infrastructure had improved access and mobility across the Federal Capital Territory. “Why do we have to only think until everybody gets houses? That’s only when the quality of life has changed. That is wrong,” he said. Wike argued that improvements in transport, road infrastructure and other public services should also be considered indicators of better living standards.

In a related development, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on Nigeria’s 36 state governors and the FCT Minister to publicly account for an estimated ₦14 trillion in fuel subsidy savings reportedly received through the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) since mid-2023. In separate Freedom of Information requests, the organisation urged the governors and the FCT minister to disclose full details of how the funds have been spent, including locations of projects executed, implementation status, and completion reports. SERAP’s request follows rising concerns that despite massive increases in state allocations since the removal of fuel subsidy, millions of Nigerians are yet to see improvements in public services such as healthcare, education, and social welfare. “There is a legitimate public interest for governors and the FCT minister to urgently explain how they have spent the money they have so far collected from the subsidy savings,” SERAP said in the letter. The organisation has given the governors and the FCT minister seven days to comply, warning of legal action if they fail to respond.

On his reported reconciliation with political associates, the minister said the disagreements had been resolved but declined to discuss the details. “Personal, political, everything settled,” he said. He added that he had invited the concerned political associate for talks but would not disclose what was discussed.

Wike to Governors: Account for Subsidy Funds, Stop Hiding Behind NGF

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President Tinubu Mourns 32 NAF Personnel in Ondo Jet Crash, Orders Immediate Probe

Published

11 hours ago

October 5, 2026

Trends Admin

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

President Tinubu Mourns 32 NAF Personnel in Ondo Jet Crash, Orders Immediate Probe

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed profound grief over the crash of a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft near a naval base in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State, which claimed the lives of all 32 personnel on board.

The tragic incident occurred on Monday morning when the aircraft, on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos, went down shortly before reaching its destination. The victims include 25 passengers and seven crew members.

In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President described the incident as “a painful moment for our Armed Forces and for the entire nation.”

“Our Air Force personnel put their lives on the line every day to secure Nigeria. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten,” Tinubu said.

The President extended his deepest condolences to the families of the deceased, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and the entire Nigerian Air Force community.

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President Tinubu revealed that he had received a briefing from the Chief of Air Staff and has directed an immediate and thorough investigation into the cause of the crash to prevent future occurrences.

“I have directed the Nigerian Air Force to immediately commence a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash to prevent future occurrences,” he stated.

The President commended the Nigerian Air Force for activating an immediate Search and Rescue operation following the accident, as well as the swift response of first responders and the Ondo State Government at the crash site.

“I pray for the repose of the souls of the gallant officers and for Almighty God to grant their families and the Nigerian Air Force the fortitude to bear the unfortunate loss,” Tinubu said.

He further assured the Nigerian Air Force of the continued support of his administration as they continue their vital role in securing the nation.

The crash marks one of the deadliest air disasters involving Nigerian military personnel in recent years, casting a shadow over the nation’s security apparatus. The Nigerian Air Force is expected to release further details as the investigation gets underway.

President Tinubu Mourns 32 NAF Personnel in Ondo Jet Crash, Orders Immediate Probe

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BREAKING: Many Feared Dead as Helicopter Crashes in Ondo Community

Published

19 hours ago

October 5, 2026

Trends Admin

BREAKING: Many Feared Dead as Helicopter Crashes in Ondo Community

Several people are feared dead after a helicopter crashed in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Monday.

The incident occurred in the riverine community, triggering panic among residents as efforts began to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash and the fate of those on board.

Early reports indicate that the aircraft came down in a swampy area opposite a naval base in Igbokoda. The helicopter was reportedly badly damaged, with one local official saying military equipment was found at the scene.

The Chairman of Ilaje Local Government Area, Maurice Oripelaye, confirmed the crash when contacted by journalists but said the number of people aboard the aircraft could not immediately be established.

He reportedly said the helicopter had been burnt extensively, making it difficult to determine the number of occupants or confirm their identities.

The circumstances surrounding the crash remained unclear as of Monday afternoon. It was also not immediately established whether the aircraft was operated by the military, a private company or another organisation.

Some reports described the aircraft as a suspected military helicopter, based on the military equipment reportedly recovered from the crash site. However, authorities had not officially confirmed the identity or operator of the aircraft.

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The Ondo State Police Command also had not immediately confirmed the incident. Police spokesperson Abayomi Jimoh was reported to have said he was unaware of the crash when contacted and would make inquiries.

Reports from the community indicated that residents moved towards the crash area following news of the incident, while efforts were reportedly underway to assess the wreckage and establish whether there were survivors.

The number of people on board remains unknown, and no official casualty figure had been released at the time of filing this report.

The crash occurred in Ilaje, one of Ondo State’s major riverine and oil-producing areas. Igbokoda serves as the headquarters of the local government and is surrounded by waterways and swampy terrain.

The location is also used for logistics and transportation activities connected to the coastal and oil and gas industry, where helicopters are sometimes deployed to transport personnel and equipment.

The reported crash has renewed attention on the safety challenges associated with helicopter operations in Nigeria’s coastal areas, although the cause of Monday’s incident remains unknown.

Authorities are expected to establish the identity of the aircraft, its operator, flight route, number of occupants and the circumstances that led to the crash.

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) is responsible for investigating aviation accidents and incidents within its jurisdiction, and further official information is expected as authorities assess the crash site.

For now, residents and families awaiting information about possible occupants are left without confirmed casualty figures or details of those involved.

Further updates are expected from the relevant security, aviation and emergency-response authorities as the investigation and recovery efforts continue.

BREAKING: Many Feared Dead as Helicopter Crashes in Ondo Community

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Supreme Court Ruling: INEC Moves to Clarify Fate of 2027 Candidates

Published

1 day ago

October 5, 2026

Trends Admin

Supreme Court Ruling: INEC Moves to Clarify Fate of 2027 Candidates

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it will determine how the recent Supreme Court ruling on the Electoral Act 2026 affects candidates after reviewing the certified true copy of the judgment.

The development has heightened uncertainty among some political parties and 2027 election candidates, particularly those whose nominations could be scrutinised over party membership registers and the procedures used to conduct their primaries.

The Supreme Court, in its September 24 judgment, restored Sections 77(5), 77(6), 77(7) and 84(2) of the Electoral Act 2026, which had earlier been struck down by the Court of Appeal. The provisions deal principally with political party membership registers and candidate nomination procedures.

Under Section 77(5), only members whose names appear on a party’s membership register submitted to INEC at least 21 days before a primary, congress or convention are eligible to participate in the exercise.

Section 77(6) requires parties to use the membership register submitted to INEC for their primaries, congresses and conventions, while Section 77(7) provides consequences for a party that fails to submit its register within the prescribed period.

Section 84(2), meanwhile, provides for the nomination of candidates through direct primaries or consensus.

The Supreme Court’s decision did not name or automatically disqualify any individual candidate. Questions surrounding particular nominations are expected to depend on the facts of each case, including party membership records, the timing of registration or defection and how the relevant primary was conducted.

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INEC has therefore refrained from announcing a blanket decision on candidates whose nominations could be affected.

The commission is expected to engage political parties and other stakeholders on October 6, while also addressing the issue publicly as preparations continue for the 2027 general elections. INEC is also expected to publish the final list of governorship and State House of Assembly candidates on October 10.

Several candidates have already attracted attention because of circumstances surrounding their party membership or nomination.

Among those mentioned are Kingsley Chinda, the APC governorship candidate in Rivers State; Isa Pantami, the PDP governorship candidate in Gombe State; Donald Duke, the PRP presidential candidate; Ovie Omo-Agege, the NDC senatorial candidate in Delta Central; and Victor Ochei, the NDC candidate for Delta North.

In Chinda’s case, questions have centred on the timing of his movement from the PDP to the APC and whether his membership status complied with the restored provisions before the party’s governorship primary.

The Rivers APC has maintained that Chinda registered with the party on April 27, ahead of the May 21 primary, and therefore met the relevant 21-day requirement.

Pantami’s case is also subject to separate legal proceedings. He left the APC for the PDP after withdrawing from the APC governorship primary and subsequently emerged as the PDP’s candidate in Gombe. A Federal High Court ruling in Gombe had already nullified his nomination and ordered a fresh primary, meaning his situation involves issues beyond the Supreme Court judgment alone.

For Omo-Agege and Ochei, attention has focused on their movement from the APC to the NDC and the waivers granted to enable them to contest the NDC nomination exercises. Their cases raise questions about the interaction between party membership, waivers and the restored provisions of the Electoral Act.

Former Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, the SDP governorship candidate in Nasarawa State, has also insisted that his candidacy remains valid. The SDP has said he had been a member of the party for about three months before its governorship primary.

The key issue for INEC is whether nominations conducted while the disputed provisions were temporarily invalidated will be assessed under the provisions subsequently restored by the Supreme Court.

For now, the Supreme Court judgment should not be interpreted as an automatic cancellation of the affected candidates’ tickets.

The final position will depend on INEC’s review of the judgment, the relevant party records and the specific circumstances surrounding each nomination, as well as any separate court proceedings that may arise.

With the 2027 elections approaching, the commission’s forthcoming clarification is expected to provide greater certainty for political parties, candidates and other stakeholders over the status of nominations affected by the ruling.