Senate President Godswill Akpabio has openly praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for removing fuel subsidy, describing the move as financially beneficial to state governments.
Akpabio said he wished he had served as governor under the current administration. Moreover, he claimed that many governors now receive significantly higher allocations than in previous years.
The comments have drawn attention because fuel subsidy removal remains one of the most debated policies in Nigeria. However, Akpabio insisted the reform has strengthened public finances at the state level.
Speaking during a public engagement, he addressed critics who describe the National Assembly as a rubber stamp. He said lawmakers carefully review every proposal before approval.
“They said we are rubber-stamp senators but we sit down to painstakingly go through everything that comes before us.
We meticulously review all submissions to serve the best interests of Nigerians, even when public perception initially differs.”
Akpabio then expressed gratitude for the administration’s economic steps.
“We thank you for the tax reforms. Thank you for removing fuel subsidy. How I wish I was a governor under you. Most of them say they collect four times what we used to collect.”
The fuel subsidy removal impact has been widely discussed across the country. While many Nigerians have faced higher fuel prices, state governments have reportedly seen increased federal allocations. Therefore, supporters argue that the reform has improved revenue distribution.
Akpabio recalled his time as governor of Akwa Ibom State. He noted that monthly allocations were far lower compared to what current governors receive. Consequently, he suggested that today’s governors have more financial flexibility.
Furthermore, the Senate President linked the reform to broader tax changes introduced by the administration. He emphasized that these measures were carefully reviewed by lawmakers before approval.
