AKPABIO LIED NO GOVERNOR RECEIVED ₦30BN FROM FIRS - NGF

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde has denied claims made by the Senate President Godswill Akpabio that the Federal Government has disbursed N1.08tn to states to address the food crisis being experienced in various states.

While speaking at the plenary on Tuesday, February 20, Akpabio said an unconfirmed report indicated that state governors received N30bn each from the Federation Account to ameliorate inflation and the high cost of food in their respective states.

“I must say that report has it that each of the state governments in the last few months has received additional N30bn from Federal Inland Revenue Service outside their normal allocations from the Federation Account to assist them in ameliorating the food situation. 

“We believe that every state government should utilize the funds received towards ensuring that food is available in the country. So, the state governments have a lot to do. They are closer to the people and I do not want to mention local government because most of the local governments are controlled by the state governors.

"My belief is that if the state government does what is needed, then the local government will be involved in sharing to make sure that these things get to the people. But we must not overlook the fact that Nigerians are not going to be interested in stories. Nigerians want to see action. Nigerians want to eat and we will provide food for them, there is no excuse. Despite what we met on the ground,” Akpabio said.

However, the Vice-Chairman of the NGF, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, has denied Akpabio’s claim. 

Speaking at a function in Iseyin on Thursday, February 22, Governor Makinde who spoke on behalf of state governors, said he can speak for himself and other state governors and that no such money was disbursed to any state.

“I can speak for Oyo State, and I can also speak for any of my colleagues because I am the Vice-Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum. I know when things happen. And if we want to play politics, we will keep quiet and say, let it slide, but we are not going to let this slide.