Hold governors to account for FAAC windfall, says APC chieftain

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Osita Okechukwu, has urged Nigerians to direct accountability pressure on state governors who are receiving increased Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) inflows following petrol subsidy removal.

In a statement on Tuesday, Okechukwu aligned with APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, who recently challenged citizens to demand transparency and performance from subnational governments.

He argued that states and local governments are the “greatest beneficiaries” of subsidy removal, noting that huge amounts previously spent on subsidy — which peaked at N4.39 trillion in 2022 and N3.6 trillion in 2023 — are now flowing into FAAC for the states and councils.

“With the fresh fiscal space created, governors must tackle poverty, insecurity and collapsing infrastructure,” he said.

Okechukwu lamented that despite the expanded allocations, citizens still grapple with hardship, insecurity and infrastructural decay.

He urged Nigerians to stop blaming the Federal Government alone for governance failures, saying accountability “must cascade downwards”.

Commending President Bola Tinubu for “bold reforms and investments” at the centre, he challenged APC governors in particular to emulate the President.

“My appeal to heed Prof. Yilwatda’s advice is particularly to APC governors, now that we have a commanding majority,” he added.