APC chieftain Jonathan Vatsa has called on President Bola Tinubu to halt what he described as excessive allocations to state governments, alleging that some infrastructure projects, including flyovers, have become channels for mismanaging public funds.
Phoyo of Jonathan Vatsa
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger State and former Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Jonathan Vatsa, has called on President Bola Tinubu to stop releasing what he described as “excess funds” to state governments, alleging that many governors are mismanaging and misappropriating public resources.
In a statement issued in Minna, Vatsa urged President Tinubu to emulate the approach of former Head of State, General Sani Abacha, and former President Goodluck Jonathan by channelling subsidy-related funds directly into critical development sectors.
According to him, the economic hardship currently being experienced by many Nigerians is not due to a lack of resources but rather the irresponsible handling of public funds by some state governors, whom he accused of pursuing misplaced priorities for personal interests.
Vatsa was reacting to a recent statement by President Tinubu, in which the President advised governors to avoid constructing flyovers in areas with little traffic and instead prioritise projects that have a greater impact on the lives of the people.
He alleged that many of the flyover projects being executed across states have become avenues for siphoning public funds rather than addressing genuine infrastructure needs.
According to Vatsa, despite receiving significantly higher monthly allocations from the Federation Account than previous administrations, many state governments have little to show in terms of meaningful development, while poverty continues to worsen.
He further claimed that some governors use the construction of “unfinished flyovers,” particularly in states with low traffic volume, as justification for accumulating loans that further burden their states.
Vatsa’s comments come as Niger State continues work on several flyover projects. The state government is currently constructing five flyovers in Minna, the state capital, with some of the projects having remained under construction for about three years.
The Niger State Government has consistently maintained that the projects are aimed at improving traffic flow, enhancing urban infrastructure and supporting the state’s long-term development agenda.
