Subsidy windfall: Shehu Sani tells Nigerians to question governors, not just Tinubu

DDM News

(DDM) – Former senator Shehu Sani’s recent comments on the fallout of fuel subsidy removal have sparked heated online debate across Nigeria.

Sani, who represented Kaduna Central in the 8th National Assembly, argued that while citizens endure the economic hardship, President Bola Tinubu shoulders the political blame, and state governors quietly reap increased revenue allocations from the policy.

DDM gathered that the outspoken politician, now a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), posted his views on X (formerly Twitter), urging Nigerians to “look in the right direction” when seeking the benefits of the controversial subsidy removal.

He claimed that governors have enjoyed financial windfalls from the policy through larger monthly allocations from the Federation Account, while ordinary citizens continue to struggle with rising transportation costs, inflation, and declining purchasing power.

According to him, the debate has been unfairly fixated on the presidency, while state leaders, who also have constitutional responsibilities to improve citizens’ welfare, remain largely unchallenged.

His remarks quickly triggered a storm of reactions online.

Some critics accused him of attempting to shield President Tinubu from accountability.

They pointed to the acquisition of a presidential jet, a luxury yacht, and high-tech vehicles as evidence that the president is also benefiting from public funds, despite citizens’ suffering.

Several commenters alleged that Sani’s tone suggested a bid to curry favour with the presidency or the ruling APC.

Others dismissed his claim that the president bears the most political risk, arguing that in Nigeria’s current political climate, presidential power far outweighs that of governors in shaping economic direction.

However, a section of respondents backed Sani’s argument, agreeing that most Nigerians ignore the roles of state and local governments in governance.

They insisted that while the federal government sets broad economic policy, the real impact on daily life often depends on state and local implementation.

Some commenters stressed that if Nigerians start holding governors and council chairmen accountable, the quality of governance would improve significantly.

Political analysts told DDM that Sani’s comments tapped into a growing conversation about decentralising blame in Nigeria’s governance failures.

They noted that the removal of fuel subsidy in mid-2023 created a fiscal boost for all tiers of government, but that transparency in how state administrations spend these additional funds remains largely absent.

Observers added that unless citizens demand accountability at all levels, federal, state, and local, the expected benefits of subsidy removal will remain elusive.

Sani himself has not responded to allegations that his comments were politically motivated, but he has maintained that Nigerians must “ask the right questions to the right people” if they want meaningful change.

The debate comes at a time when Nigeria continues to grapple with skyrocketing inflation, a weakening naira, and deepening poverty levels, all exacerbated by the removal of petrol subsidies.

With the conversation now spilling into political circles, the focus may increasingly shift from Abuja to state capitals, forcing governors to explain what they have done with the billions of naira in extra allocations since mid-2023.

For Diaspora Digital Media Updates click on Whatsapp, or Telegram. For eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to: citizenreports@diasporadigitalmedia.com. Follow us on X (Fomerly Twitter) or Facebook