The National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Felix Morka, has stated that most of the factors contributing to multidimensional poverty in Nigeria fall within the responsibilities of state and local governments rather than the Federal Government.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Morka said Nigerians often place too much blame on President Bola Tinubu for poverty-related issues, despite the constitutional roles assigned to subnational governments in addressing many of the challenges.
According to him, indicators used to measure multidimensional poverty, such as access to clean water, basic healthcare, sanitation, and other essential social services, are largely under the control of state and local governments.
Morka also noted that following the removal of fuel subsidy in 2023, a large share of the savings and revenue generated from the policy had been distributed to states and local councils.
He argued that the country’s persistent focus on the President and the Federal Government is a result of the over-centralised structure inherited from military rule.
The APC spokesperson maintained that subnational governments now have increased financial resources and should take greater responsibility for improving living standards and tackling poverty.
“A lot of the issues captured under multidimensional poverty are not actually the responsibility of the federal government,” Morka said.
“Many of those livelihood concerns fall within the jurisdiction of state and local governments, but in Nigeria we tend to focus almost entirely on the President and the federal government, even though subnational governments are expected to address many of those conditions.”
He added that since the fuel subsidy removal, most of the resources and savings from the policy have gone to state and local governments.
“In our analysis, we always direct attention to the President. That may be because of the over-centralised system inherited from military rule, which has influenced even the democratic system,” he said.
Morka further explained that issues such as access to potable water, healthcare services and sanitation — key factors used in determining quality of living — are responsibilities of state and local governments rather than the Federal Government.
