President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on journalists to expand their scrutiny beyond the presidency and hold local governments accountable for how they use public funds.
The President made the remarks during an interfaith breaking of fast with senior journalists and media executives at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Speaking at the event, Tinubu said reading newspapers has become part of his daily routine.
“There’s no morning that I ever leave my house without going through the newspapers. It’s an addiction,” he said.
“I read all of you. It might not be in full detail, but the headlines, the ones that hit me and the ones that won’t.”
Read Also: Tinubu Establishes Presidential Task Force on Petroleum Reform
The President noted that recent reforms have strengthened fiscal federalism by allowing local governments to receive their allocations directly.
However, he said responsibility for monitoring how those funds are used should not rest solely on the federal government.
“We’ve opened up the principle of federalism to the extent that local governments are now getting their money,” he said.
“But how they use it is in your hands. So, don’t bombard me alone.”
Tinubu’s comments highlight the role of the media in promoting accountability across all levels of government.
He encouraged journalists to continue reporting on governance issues while ensuring that local authorities are also held responsible for the management of public resources.
