Nigerian commentator Ibeh has accused the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of using funds generated from the removal of petrol subsidy to strengthen political control over state governors.
Ibeh made the allegation in a post on X, in which he criticised the Federal Government's handling of the financial gains associated with the subsidy removal and urged Nigerians to vote the All Progressives Congress (APC) out of office.
“This conman removed subsidy and used the money to activate transfer clauses of 32 Governors,” Ibeh wrote, alleging that increased revenues from the policy had been used to consolidate political influence over governors.
He also rejected calls from some APC supporters for Nigerians to hold state governors accountable for how additional revenues received after subsidy removal are spent.
“APC minions will tell us to hold Governors responsible,” he wrote, before questioning whether anti-graft authorities had been able to effectively hold governors accountable.
His post referenced the corruption case involving former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, who is facing charges brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Bello has pleaded not guilty to the charges, and the case remains before the courts.
Ibeh concluded his post with a direct political appeal, writing: “Let's Vote APC out.”
Subsidy Revenue Debate
The comments come amid an intensifying national debate over how the financial gains from petrol subsidy removal have been distributed and utilised.
The Federal Government recently said the removal of the subsidy generated about N15.8 trillion in additional resources for the federation between June 2023 and December 2025. According to Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, the Federal Government received N5.4 trillion, while N10.4 trillion was distributed to state and local governments.
The issue has triggered renewed demands for accountability, with critics arguing that increased allocations to states have not translated sufficiently into improved living conditions for Nigerians.
The 36 state governors, however, have rejected suggestions that sub-national governments should accept blame for alleged failures to properly account for subsidy-removal proceeds. At their August meeting, the Nigeria Governors' Forum said such accusations were not accurate.
The governors have also backed the proposed National Affordable CNG Transit Programme, which is designed to use cheaper compressed natural gas to reduce transportation costs.
Separately, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has argued that the Federal Government does not have constitutional authority to dictate how states and local governments spend their share of increased revenues following subsidy removal, saying the focus should instead be on accountability for how the funds are utilised.
Ibeh's latest comments therefore come against the backdrop of a wider political dispute over subsidy-removal proceeds, state allocations and accountability ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The allegation that subsidy savings were specifically used to “activate transfer clauses” involving 32 governors was not independently established in available reports. Ibeh's statements remain political allegations and opinions rather than established facts.
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