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Tinubu Urges Media to Scrutinise States, LGs over Public Funds

Published

7 months ago

March 14, 2026

Q Tinny

Tinubu media scrutiny states local governments call as president urges journalists to hold subnational governments accountable for public funds

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged Nigerian media executives to extend the same level of scrutiny they apply to the Federal Government to state and local governments, which he said now enjoy greater financial autonomy.

Also read: Tinubu Approves Fiscal Incentives for Bonga Southwest Project

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

Tinubu said reforms implemented by his administration had strengthened the principle of federalism by ensuring that local governments receive their allocations directly.

“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,” the president said.

He also stated that no state government in the country was currently borrowing money to pay workers’ salaries, attributing the improvement to economic reforms introduced by his administration.

“Today, there is no state that is borrowing to pay salaries of employees. 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,” Tinubu said.

Many of Nigeria’s 36 states had previously relied on federal bailouts and loans to meet salary obligations, particularly during periods of declining oil revenue and economic downturns.

According to the administration, allocations to states and local governments have increased through improved revenue collection by the Federal Inland Revenue Service, now renamed the National Revenue Service, higher crude oil production and direct payments to local governments following a landmark ruling by the Supreme Court of Nigeria in July 2024 granting fiscal autonomy to councils.

Tinubu thanked media owners for their criticisms, saying they pushed him to perform better, especially during the early days of his administration.

“Thank you for inspiring me and challenging me in critical moments of my life. You didn’t spare me, but you challenged me,” he said.

The president also revealed that he reads newspapers every morning, describing the habit as an “addiction.”

“There is no morning that I ever leave my house without going through the newspapers. It’s an addiction,” he said.

Tinubu defended key policy decisions taken by his government, particularly the removal of petrol subsidy shortly after assuming office in May 2023, stating that the move was necessary to prevent economic collapse.

“We had to confront the subsidy. Nigeria was cheating on the edge of bankruptcy. But having asked for the job and getting it, I couldn’t look back other than make corrections as I move along, save the nation and bring it back from the brink,” he said.

He maintained that Nigeria had since stabilised its economy, citing improvements in foreign exchange management and efforts to curb inflation.

The president also dismissed the idea of labelling critics as enemies, noting that constructive criticism contributes to national development.

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

Acknowledging the economic challenges facing media organisations, the president said he was aware of the difficulties associated with funding and sustaining operations in the current global economic climate.

He added that issues surrounding tariffs affecting the media industry were discussed earlier in the day and promised to take necessary action where required.

Also read: Tinubu Approves Omokri, Fani-Kayode Ambassadorial Posts

Friday’s meeting, held as part of the final Iftar gathering for the 2026 Ramadan season, brought together media executives from print, broadcast and digital platforms across the country.

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sports

Maresca Says Man City Unity Grows Amid Financial Case

Published

3 days ago

October 16, 2026

Peculiar Adirika

Maresca says Man City unity grows amid the club’s financial case as the manager focuses on results ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Ipswich.

Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has said the club’s players, supporters and leadership have become more united amid the Premier League financial case, speaking at a pre-match press conference in Manchester on Friday, 16 October 2026, ahead of Saturday’s league meeting with Ipswich Town.

Also read: NPFL Suspends Fan Over Alleged Threats to Away Teams

Maresca said he was not personally troubled by the controversy, arguing that the team had little control over the proceedings and should concentrate on performances on the pitch.

“Since the noise, from my personal point of view, I can see the fans, the club, the team more together, for sure,” Maresca said.

His comments come as City continue their Premier League campaign under the scrutiny of a significant disciplinary case.

An independent commission found the club guilty of multiple breaches of the league’s financial regulations, following allegations concerning its financial reporting and commercial arrangements between 2009 and 2018.

Manchester City have rejected the findings and appealed the decision, maintaining that they have evidence to challenge the ruling. The appeal means the dispute remains unresolved, with the eventual outcome potentially carrying significant consequences for the club.

For now, Maresca has sought to keep the focus on football, presenting the team’s response to the controversy as a matter of discipline and collective responsibility rather than public argument.

“There is noise around the club but we need to try to make our noise,” he said. “That means win at Anfield, try to win tomorrow against Ipswich. This is the way we can make our noise. A different kind of noise; we’re not able to control that.”

City’s recent results have offered both encouragement and a reminder of the demands of competing across several fronts.

The club recorded a 3-0 Premier League victory over Liverpool at Anfield before suffering a 4-2 defeat by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Maresca described the European loss as a learning opportunity, saying City had struggled to maintain their balance after conceding twice in quick succession.

He nevertheless pointed to the response after half-time as evidence that the players could recover from difficult spells.

The defeat has added importance to Saturday’s meeting with Ipswich, as City look to maintain their domestic momentum while managing the demands of a busy schedule.

Asked how he was coping with the attention surrounding the financial proceedings, Maresca was direct.

“I’m very happy. I don’t feel any kind of stress about the outside situation because it’s something I don’t control. I just focus on how we can try to win the next games,” he said.

The manager also indicated that he trusted the club’s leadership and had discussed the case with officials. However, he preferred to wait for the legal process to reach an outcome before drawing conclusions about the matter.

The independent commission’s findings have intensified scrutiny of City’s financial conduct, with the case involving alleged breaches over a nine-season period.

The commission found the club guilty of 114 of the 115 charges relating to financial misconduct and associated failures to comply with the Premier League’s investigation, according to reports on the ruling.

City have appealed and continue to contest the findings. The distinction between the commission’s conclusions and the club’s position remains central to the ongoing dispute.

The case has also renewed debate about financial regulation in English football, including the effectiveness of oversight and the consequences clubs may face when they breach competition rules.

Any eventual sanctions will depend on the relevant proceedings and their outcome.

Against that background, Maresca’s emphasis on unity reflects the club’s immediate priority of sustaining results while the case progresses.

His comments do not resolve the questions raised by the commission, but they indicate how he intends to manage the situation within the dressing room.

Saturday’s fixture presents a further test. Ipswich have had a full week to prepare, while City return to domestic action after their midweek European commitment.

Maresca acknowledged that the difference in preparation time could make the contest demanding.

A victory would give City the opportunity to extend their Premier League winning run to seven matches, reinforcing their position near the top of the table.

The manager’s challenge is to ensure that the off-field controversy does not distract from the consistency required over a long season.

For supporters, the coming weeks will bring two parallel developments: City’s pursuit of domestic and European success, and the progress of the financial appeal.

The club’s results may shape the mood around the team, but the disciplinary proceedings will ultimately be determined by the relevant legal and regulatory process.

Maresca’s message was that City should concentrate on the part of the situation they can influence.

Also read: NPFL Suspends Fan Over Alleged Threats to Away Teams

With Ipswich next on the schedule, the immediate measure of that approach will be the team’s performance on the pitch, while the broader questions surrounding the club’s financial conduct remain outstanding.