President Ahmed Tinubu has said he cannot give order to state governors on how to distribute the palliatives the Federal Government is giving to states to cushion the effects of removal of fuel subsidy.

The President said this while responding to the request of some Islamic scholars that the Federal Government should monitor the distribution of palliatives to States on Thursday.

But Tinubu said he cannot give order to the states as they are closer to the people.

He however appealed to State governments to ensure transparency and accountability in the distribution and management of these palliatives.

“The people reside in the States. Even if I set up a panel, I will have to go through the governors and the local governments. We will continue to talk to the governors. Nigerians must hold them accountable,” he continued.

“It’s unheard of that in a constitutional democracy; a president will sit here and give orders to States. I can only appeal to them to implement. The people reside in the states, and if the Governor is not doing well, the people must vote them out,” he concluded.