Vatsa Urges Tinubu to Halt Excess Funds to Governors

Jonathan Vatsa, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Niger State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, urged President Bola Tinubu to cease sending what he termed “excess money” to state governors. Vatsa accused these governors of diverting funds intended for development, exacerbating the hardships faced by Nigerians.

He stated this on Saturday in Minna, responding to President Tinubu’s warning to governors about prioritizing impactful projects over unnecessary expenditures like flyovers in low-traffic areas. Vatsa claimed that the President is beginning to recognize that many governors are significant obstacles to his administration and the APC.

He pointed out that despite increased federal allocations following the removal of the fuel subsidy, many states have shown little improvement in living conditions. Vatsa suggested that a national development intervention similar to past programs be established to ensure that savings from the subsidy removal directly benefit ordinary Nigerians.

He also called for the enforcement of a Supreme Court judgment granting financial autonomy to local governments.