Prince Kolade Oladigbolu Urges Nigerians to Redirect Accountability Demands Toward State Governors Over Federal Presidency

Prince Kolade Oladigbolu argues that 80% of development lies with state governors, urging Nigerians to shift focus from the President to subnational leaders.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 18, 2026, 6:26 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from The Sun Nigeria

Constitutional Responsibilities and the Misplacement of Public Grievance

Prince Kolade Afeez Oladigbolu, a prominent member of the Oyo royal lineage, has intervened in the national discourse regarding executive performance and accountability. Speaking on the current state of the federation, Oladigbolu argued that Nigerians frequently misdirect their frustrations toward the presidency while overlooking the significant powers held by state executives. He maintained that the federal government's primary mandate is to establish a broad enabling environment through policy and strategic initiatives, rather than providing for the specific, day to day needs of every individual citizen. By failing to distinguish between these tiers of government, Oladigbolu suggests that the public inadvertently allows state leaders to operate with insufficient scrutiny.

Evaluation of Presidential Leadership and Economic Initiatives

The Oyo prince offered a positive assessment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, noting that significant leadership has been demonstrated since the transition of power. He pointed to a series of new policies aimed at positioning the Nigerian economy for sustainable growth as evidence of a forward thinking federal agenda. Rather than waiting for direct government provisions, Oladigbolu urged the Nigerian populace to embrace self reliance, innovation, and productivity. According to his perspective, the current administration has provided the necessary frameworks, and it is now incumbent upon citizens and subnational entities to capitalize on these opportunities to drive local development.

The Eighty Percent Rule in Subnational Developmental Mandates

A central theme of Oladigbolu’s address was the estimation that roughly 80 percent of a citizen's immediate developmental needs are the constitutional responsibility of state governments. He argued that governors are sufficiently resourced and empowered to spearhead infrastructure projects, stimulate regional economic growth, and manage social development programs. The prince contended that when citizens focus exclusively on the presidency, it creates a distraction that shields underperforming governors from necessary performance evaluations. This lack of subnational accountability, he suggested, has historically allowed state executives to manage public funds with minimal transparency or civic...