By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has said state governors, rather than President Bola Tinubu, should be held responsible for explaining how funds accruing from the removal of petrol subsidy are being spent.

Abiodun said the removal of the subsidy had increased allocations to state governments, making governors better positioned to account for how the additional revenue was being utilised.

The governor spoke at a rally organised by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun.

He was reacting to criticism from opposition politicians over the management of funds saved from the removal of the petrol subsidy.

According to Abiodun, it was inappropriate to demand that Tinubu account for the gains from the policy when state governments receive increased allocations from the Federation Account.

He said governors had been using the additional funds to finance infrastructure and other development projects across their states.

“They said they want to return the subsidy. Are they mad? They were asking our leader to explain what he did with subsidy removal gains,” Abiodun said in Yoruba.

“It is we (governors) that should make such explanations because it is we, state governors, that collect the money.

“Besides, what have we been using to build roads, schools, provide good housing and incentives for farmers? Isn’t it from subsidy?”

The governor’s comments come amid renewed political arguments over the economic impact of the removal of petrol subsidy and how the resulting increase in government revenue has been distributed and spent.

Abiodun also used the occasion to attack opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections, expressing confidence that the APC would defeat its political rivals.

“Go and tell your people that all of them are not up to one. We will defeat them mercilessly,” he said.

The controversy over the utilisation of funds associated with subsidy removal has featured prominently in the political debate in recent weeks.

Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has repeatedly criticised the Tinubu administration over what he described as a failure to account for the savings generated by the removal of the subsidy.

Atiku has also vowed to restore the petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027, arguing that the government has not adequately explained how the savings from its removal have been utilised.

Tinubu, however, rejected the proposal, describing it as evidence of what he called “serious ignorance of governance and economy.”

The President also argued that some state governments were struggling to pay workers’ salaries and pensions before he assumed office, linking the improvement in states’ finances to the reforms introduced by his administration.

On August 19, Taiwo Oyedele, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, said the removal of the petrol subsidy had enabled the federation to mobilise N15.8 trillion between June 2023 and December 2025.

The figure has since featured in the broader debate over the fiscal impact of the subsidy removal and the extent to which the additional revenue has translated into improved public services and infrastructure.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

An Islamic cleric, Malam Musa Lukwa, was stabbed shortly after leading the Friday prayer at his mosque in Mabera area of Sokoto metropolis on Friday.

The spokesman of the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, confirmed the incident to newsmen in Sokoto.

Rufa’i said the cleric was stabbed twice in the neck and taken to the Specialist Hospital, Sokoto, where he was receiving treatment and responding to it.

He said the suspected attacker was killed by the cleric’s followers after the incident, adding that no arrest had been made in connection with the ensuing violence.

According to him, the command had deployed security personnel to prevent the situation from escalating.

He said investigation was ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the attack and identify those involved.

The incident was reportedly linked to a previous sermon by the cleric which some Islamic scholars and their followers considered offensive to the parents of Prophet Muhammad.

A man identified as Mai Barewa had allegedly threatened the cleric and one of his senior students over the sermon.

He was subsequently arrested and arraigned before a court, with the case reportedly ongoing.

The cleric and his followers were also said to have written to the Sokoto State Government four days before the attack, expressing concern over the threats against them.

Following the incident, some youths reportedly protested in parts of the metropolis, including Sahara, Bello Way and Aliyu Jodi.

The development caused some shop owners to close their businesses, while security operatives were deployed to strategic locations to maintain law and order.

The police urged residents to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their own hands.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, Vice-Presidential Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has asked former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to drop his bid for 2027 presidency.

Speaking members of the Fulani Farmers Association who visited him at his Abuja residence, Kwankwaso said Atiku who is the Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), should devote his time to his traditional responsibilities.

Citing Atiku’s age and health, Kwankwaso asked supporters of the ADC Presidential Candidate to persuade him to withdraw from the contest.

“Go to the Wazirin of Adamawa’s house and tell him in Fulani that he needs to focus on his traditional title of Wazirin, given his age and health.”

“If Allah grants us success, we will take good care of him, especially since you all come from Adamawa. An apology should be offered to him,” he said.

In April, Atiku had said the 2027 presidential election may be his final attempt to become Nigeria’s leader, citing his age and the high stakes involved.

Responding to a question on whether turning 80 by 2027 would make the stakes higher for him, Atiku said it would likely be his last outing.

“Certainly yes, because the stakes are higher and I believe that will be my last outing,” he said.

Atiku has made multiple attempts to become Nigeria’s president since returning to partisan politics in 2003.

He first contested the presidency in 1993 under the Social Democratic Party primaries before stepping down for the late Moshood Abiola.

He later ran in 2007 under the Action Congress, losing to the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

Atiku also contested in 2011 under the Action Congress of Nigeria, losing to former President Goodluck Jonathan.

He returned to the Peoples Democratic Party and contested the 2019 presidential election, where he lost to former President Muhammadu Buhari.

In 2023, he again emerged PDP candidate but lost to President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress.

The former vice president has consistently positioned himself as a long-time advocate of restructuring, economic liberalisation and private sector-driven growth.