SUNTV Global Channel | January 17, 2026 | Abuja
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration over what it described as the failure of state governments to translate increased federal allocations into tangible improvements in the lives of Nigerians.
Speaking on Channels Television on Friday, ADC National Spokesman Bolaji Abdullahi argued that despite receiving unprecedented financial inflows following the removal of fuel subsidy, many governors have not used the funds to improve citizens’ welfare or living conditions.
According to Abdullahi, state governors are currently enjoying more financial resources than any previous set of governors in Nigeria’s history, yet ordinary Nigerians continue to struggle with rising costs of living and declining social services.
“By the president’s own declaration, he has given more money to governors than maybe any president has ever given to governors in our history,” Abdullahi said.
“And how has that reflected in the improved livelihood of the people in the states?”
He clarified that while not all governors could be described as underperforming, the overall outcome of increased funding at the state level has fallen far short of expectations.
“I’m not saying all of them are bad,” he added. “But what I am saying is that they have received more money than any other generation of governors in the history of this country.”
The ADC spokesman linked the surge in state allocations directly to the removal of fuel subsidy by the Tinubu administration, questioning the real impact of the policy on the everyday lives of Nigerians.
“You can say devaluation, but the reason we have more money going to the states is because subsidies were removed,” Abdullahi said.
“That money is now going to the states. In what way has that translated to a better life for the people in the states?”
President Tinubu announced the removal of fuel subsidy shortly after assuming office in May 2023, a decision that led to a sharp increase in fuel prices nationwide. The president maintained that the funds saved from the subsidy regime would be redirected towards infrastructure development and other critical needs.
Since then, several state governors have openly acknowledged a significant rise in monthly allocations from the Federation Account.
Recently, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori confirmed the increase while speaking at a public event on January 13, during the launch of the N39.3 billion Otovwodo Flyover Project in Ughelli North Local Government Area.
“More money is coming to the states,” Oborevwori said.
“I am not a governor who will hide it. There is money. Use the money, as we are using it in our state. Use it in your state so that the people will be very happy.”
President Tinubu had earlier made a similar assertion during an APC caucus meeting on February 25, stating that allocations to states had significantly increased under his administration.
“Today, I can beat my chest and tell each of the governors here that allocations to the states are triple,” the president said at the time.
Backing the claim with figures, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, later disclosed that total allocations to the 36 states had risen from N3.8 trillion to N7.1 trillion since Tinubu took office.
Despite these figures, the ADC insists that Nigerians have little to show for the increased funds, calling for greater accountability and transparency in how state governments utilise public resources.
The party warned that without visible improvements in welfare, infrastructure, and social services, the justification for painful economic reforms such as fuel subsidy removal would remain questionable.
SUNTV Global Channel will continue to monitor reactions from state governments and the Federal Government as the debate over governance, accountability, and citizens’ welfare continues.
