2027: Sanwo-Olu Defends Tinubu’s Reforms, Says Nigerians should hold Governors Accountable for Surplus from Subsidy Removal
…As Senator Daniel insists that A Strong Economy Is Solution To Lasting Peace In Nigeria
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has asked Nigerians to demand for accountability from their Governors on the spending of surplus received from fuel subsidy removal just as he defended the economic reforms of President Bola Tinubu.
He said that the removal of fuel subsidy, though painful but beginning to yield positive results for Nigeria stressing that no Governor has excuses to give to the people for non performance.
Sanwo-Olu who was the Special Guest Speaker stated these at the 7th annual lecture of Freedom Online, with the theme, “2027: Elections, Economy, Security and Nigeria’s Future.” held in Lagos.
The governor said opposition politicians were already making the fuel subsidy a major campaign issue ahead of the 2027 general elections, but argued that Nigerians deserved a debate based on facts rather than political slogans.
According to him, the subsidy was removed because it had become a major drain on the nation’s resources, limiting government’s ability to fund critical infrastructure and social services.
He, however, acknowledged the hardship caused by the policy, particularly the impact on transportation and food prices.
“I won’t stand here and tell you that it has been painless. It has not. Lagosians have felt it at the pump, at the market, and in the price of a bag of rice,” Sanwo-Olu said.
Sanwo-Olu cited recent economic indicators, including the 4.43 per cent growth recorded by the Nigerian economy in the second quarter of 2026, up from 3.89 per cent in the first quarter.
He also pointed to the country’s rising external reserves, trade surplus, improved credit outlook and decline in inflation, saying the indicators demonstrated that the economy was responding to the reforms.
The governor further noted that remittances from Nigerians abroad reached $947 million through formal channels in July, describing the figure as a historic monthly high.
On security, Sanwo-Olu said insecurity would be a major factor in the 2027 elections, particularly in determining whether candidates could campaign freely and whether voters and electoral officials could safely participate in the process.
He commended measures taken by the Tinubu administration, including the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions, increased personnel and the establishment of new divisional headquarters.
On politics, Sanwo-Olu said a mandate is only as strong as the process that produced it. He noted that no office in this land is worth the life of a single Nigerian and no victory won by the wrong means is a victory at all.
The chairman of the occasion, former Mimister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the 2027 election should be seen not merely as a contest for political power but as an opportunity to consolidate nation-building.
Mohammed stressed that politics must not override governance, arguing that security was essential to economic growth and investment.
Also speaking, former Ogun State Governor, Senator Gbenga Daniel, described security as an economic issue and a critical component of the country’s economic infrastructure.
Daniel said Nigeria must diversify beyond oil by strengthening agriculture, manufacturing, technology, construction, financial services, tourism, entertainment and the digital economy.
Earlier, the publisher of Freedom Online, Mr.Gabriel Akinadewo, said Nigeria must move beyond its four-year electoral cycle and develop a governance system capable of delivering sustained national development.
Akinadewo said the country would mark 28 years of uninterrupted civilian rule in May 2027, describing it as a significant milestone.
The highpoint of the event was the presentation of the Governor of Year 2025 Award to Governor Sanwo-Olu by Senator Gbenga Daniel and Alhaji Lai Mohammed.
