President Bola Tinubu has called on media executives to extend the same level of scrutiny they apply to the federal government to state and local governments, noting that subnational authorities now enjoy increased financial autonomy.
Tinubu made the appeal on Friday while hosting media proprietors and executives at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja.
According to the president, recent reforms introduced by his administration have strengthened the principles of federalism and allowed local governments to receive funds directly.
“We’ve opened up the principle of federalism to the extent that local governments are now getting their money,” Tinubu said.
He urged the media to broaden its oversight role by closely monitoring how funds allocated to local governments and state administrations are utilised.
“But how they use it is in your hands, so don’t bombard me alone. Look at local government too, and equally, the sub-national,” the president added.
Tinubu further stated that the financial position of many states has improved as a result of the reforms implemented by his administration.
“Today, there is no state that is borrowing to pay the salaries of employees,” he said.
