Hold local government chairpersons, state governors accountable- Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has called on media executives to apply the same level of scrutiny to state and local governments as they do to his federal administration, arguing that recent reforms have granted these tiers of government significant financial autonomy.

The President made the appeal on Friday night while hosting media proprietors and executives at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja.

“We’ve opened up the principle of federalism to the extent that local governments are now getting their money. But how they use it is in your hand, so don’t bombard me alone. Look at local government too, and equally, the sub-national,” Tinubu stated.

He asserted that due to his administration’s reforms, no state in the country is currently borrowing money to pay workers’ salaries—a significant shift from the past when many states relied on federal bailouts to meet wage obligations, especially during economic downturns.

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“Today, there is no state that is borrowing to pay salaries of employees,” the President said. “Yes, we can complain it’s not enough. We can complain we are not where we should be, but we have to manage what we have to sustain today, survive tomorrow, and make progress.”

The administration attributes this financial improvement to increased allocations from higher crude oil production, enhanced revenue collection, and the direct payment of funds to local governments following a Supreme Court judgment in July 2024 that affirmed their fiscal autonomy.

President Tinubu also thanked the media for its persistent criticism, admitting that while the commentary was harsh in his early days, it ultimately challenged him to perform better.

“Thank you for inspiring me and challenging me in critical moments of my life,” he said. “If I look at various barrages of negative comments as opposed to positive aspects of the assignment, I shouldn’t be here standing. You didn’t spare me, but you challenged me, provoked that intellectual curiosity of a leader that must perform.”

Confessing to being an “addict” who reads all newspapers daily, Tinubu acknowledged that the initial wave of criticism made him “a little stubborn.” However, he defended his decisive actions, particularly the removal of the petrol subsidy in May 2023, as necessary to save the nation from bankruptcy.

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“At the time, we had to confront the subsidy. Nigeria was teetering on the edge of bankruptcy,” he explained. “Having asked for the job and getting it, I couldn’t look back other than make corrections as I move along, save the nation, bring it back from the brink.”

The President insisted that his policies have successfully pulled the country back from economic collapse, citing improvements in foreign exchange management and inflation control. He also emphasized that he views critics not as enemies but as essential contributors to nation-building.

“I don’t categorise anybody as arch-critical. I see them as simulators who can build a nation,” Tinubu remarked. “We all want good for this country.”

In closing, the President acknowledged the difficult operating environment for media organizations, recognizing the financial challenges they face amid global economic pressures.

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President Bola Tinubu has assured media proprietors that he will address the issue of tariffs impacting their industry, a topic that was discussed during a meeting on Friday afternoon.

Speaking to media executives, the President acknowledged the concerns and committed to taking action.

“The question of tariffs was discussed this afternoon,” he stated. “What I cannot report back here is whether I took action in the area that affected you or not, but if I missed that, I’ll go back to rectify.”

President Tinubu also praised the media for its innovation during challenging times and reaffirmed his commitment to national development.

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“I promise you that this job, I’ll continue to do with dedication, patriotic dedication, to improve Nigeria,” he said. “It is all in our hands. It’s a collective responsibility—you, myself, and those people that we assign.”

The meeting, which took the form of an Iftar dinner, was the final one for the 2024 Ramadan season and was attended by executives from print, television, radio, and digital media outlets.