Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike turned the heat on the 36 governors yesterday, demanding a public reckoning for billions in extra funds flowing to states since fuel subsidy was removed.
Speaking during his monthly televised chat, Wike said Nigerians deserve answers, not excuses, on how the “subsidy savings” have been spent.
“Show Nigerians the receipts”
Wike said the removal of petrol subsidy has swelled allocations to the Federal Government, states and local governments, and that windfall must translate to roads, hospitals, salaries and pensions — not silence.
“Rivers State government is accountable to the citizens. Anambra State government is accountable because they have been elected by citizens of those states, not by the entire federation of Nigeria,” he declared.
He challenged the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to open their books.
“If Governor Diri says, ‘challenge me. The money that came, see what I’ve done for Bayelsa State,’ fine,” Wike said. “That is what we are asking for from everyone.”
“Subsidy windfall must not disappear”
The former Rivers governor defended the subsidy policy, arguing it has eased states’ cash crunch and reduced strike actions over unpaid wages.
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But he warned that without transparency, the gains will evaporate.
“The fuel subsidy removal policy should not be judged solely by the controversy surrounding its implementation, but by what governments have done with the additional resources,” he said.
Wike insisted governors must present concrete evidence — projects completed, workers paid, services improved — or face public scrutiny.
“Politics aside, accountability first”
The minister’s broadside came as he reaffirmed his total loyalty to President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, vowing to spend more time in Rivers to mobilize support.
He also took swipes at the NBA for “acting like a political party,” and defended the inclusion of Betta Edu in the APC campaign structure, saying an investigation does not erase the right to canvass.
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But he circled back to his core message: money is coming in, and governors must prove where it is going.
“Nigerians are watching,” Wike said. “Let the states account.”
