Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Radda, has urged Nigerians to stop blaming state governors alone for the country’s worsening economic hardship, stressing that the Federal Government controls the largest share of monthly federation revenue.
Radda made the remarks during an interview with Radio France Internationale (RFI) Hausa on Tuesday. He said many Nigerians wrongly assume that governors control most public funds, even though the revenue-sharing formula heavily favours the Federal Government.
According to the governor, public anger over rising living costs often targets governors and local government chairmen. However, he argued that the Federal Government receives more than half of the funds shared from the Federation Account every month.
Hardship: Radda Breaks Down Revenue Formula
Radda explained that the Federal Government takes 52 per cent of federation revenue, while the remaining 48 per cent goes to the 36 states and 774 local governments combined.
“Whenever hardship increases, people blame governors and local governments,” Radda said. “But when revenue is shared, 52 per cent goes to the Federal Government. It is the remaining 48 per cent that all states and local governments must share.”
He added that Nigerians should demand accountability from the level of government that receives the largest share of national resources.
“For decades, the Federal Government has collected the bulk of federation revenue,” he said. “So Nigerians should ask where most of that money has gone.”
Governor Rejects Blanket Corruption Claims
The Katsina governor also rejected widespread corruption allegations against state governors, describing them as unfair generalisations. He said leadership performance should depend on individual conduct rather than broad assumptions.
“Leadership rests on personal integrity,” Radda said. “It is wrong to label everyone the same way. Every public office holder will answer for his or her actions.”
Capital Projects as Economic Relief
Radda defended his administration’s decision to continue investing in capital projects despite economic pressure. He said infrastructure development remains one of the fastest ways to stimulate grassroots economic activity.
According to him, capital projects create jobs, boost local trade, and push money directly into communities through wages and local supplies.
“When you execute projects, labourers earn income, food vendors make sales, and suppliers benefit,” Radda said.
He added that visible economic activity has increased across several local government areas in Katsina State as a result of continued spending.
