Hardship: Makinde tackles Akpabio over FG’s N30bn ‘gift’ to states
By Tunde Opalana
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde has punctured claims by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio that the Federal Government gave N30 billion fund to each of the 36 states governors to purchase food for citizens in their states.
Governor Makinde described Akpabio’s statement as untrue and pure propaganda while challenging him to back up his claims with verifiable evidence.
The governor’s position was contained in a statement titled, ‘Food Security: FG didn’t give states N30b each, Makinde replies Akpabio’.
The statement was released late Thursday by Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Special Adviser (Media) to the Oyo State governor.
Makinde declared that there was no truth in the claim by Akpabio, adding that Oyo State did not receive any N30 billion from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) or the federal government and that his government has been and will always be open and transparent to the people of the state.
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The governor, who said he has been doing everything to cushion the effect of the economic hardship on his people, warned that leaders should instill confidence and hope in the citizenry in these trying times rather than playing the blame game.
Makinde restated his position in Iseyin, where he commissioned a newly-renovated multi-billion Naira Iseyin Central Mosque, facilitated by legal icon, Ahmed Raji, SAN.
He added that apart from Oyo State not getting N30 billion from any agency or department of the federal government, he could say the same for his his colleague governors as vice chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF).
Governor Makinde decried Akpabio’s reliance on unverified reports, clarifying that it was impossible for states to get funds from FIRS since all revenues go into the Federation Account and belonging to the three tiers of government.
The governor maintained that the only fund Oyo State received from the federal government outside of the statutory allocation, was N2 billion out of the N5 billion promised to all states in the wake of the removal of fuel subsidy. He added that the federal government has even been asking for the refund of the N2 billion.
Makinde said his administration has been doing its best to mitigate the hardship on residents of the state, adding that he was the first to announce and implement measures to cushion the effects of the hardship through the Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SafER) programme.
He said: “This is a very difficult period in our nation’s history because all of us are aware of what we are going through economically. But for us as an administration, I can say we are the first in Nigeria to announce and implement measures on the 9th of June 2023, to cushion the effect of this policy through SAfER.
“We have been doing our bit. And the reason I came here is for us to talk to ourselves and intensify prayers. So, this is one of the edifices through which we can reach God, though we have done our bit.
“We have health insurance for our own people, we gave farm inputs to our farmers. But at this stage, we need to cry to God.
“For the workers, we have been paying a wage award; N25,000 for workers and N15,000 for pensioners, and we have paid for close to six months.
“Only last week, I announced an extension for another six months so that we can have the time to conclude the discussion on minimum wage.
“Well, we know there is much to be done and we will continue to do everything within our power to support our people through this hard time.
“This is not the time to play politics, as we have real issues that deserve real solutions. But yesterday, I saw the video and read in the news where the Senate President, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, made a statement, though he said it was unverified report, stating that the state governments received additional N30 billion from the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, outside of our statutory allocation, in the last few months, to address food security.
“Please, listen to me loud and clear. I can speak for Oyo State and can also speak for any of my colleagues. This is because, as the Vice Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, I know when things are happening.
“If I want to play politics, I will keep quiet and let this slide. But I am not going to let this slide. FIRS cannot give money to any state. It is not possible. All revenues accruing to the country goes into the federation account and it is distributed to all tiers of government. The FG does not give states money. The money in the federation account belongs to all of us; it does not only belong to the federal government.
“So, if the Senate President, who is the number three citizen in this country, could be quoting an unverified report, people are looking at us as leaders. This is the period that we are supposed to give confidence to our people. It is not the period to start playing politics or to start looking for scapegoats.
“We need to engage with our people. If our policies are not working, we need to listen to the people and amend. So, if the Number Three Citizen had nothing but unverified report, why did he need to say it? Does his statement give confidence to the people or solve the problem of hunger and anger in the land?
“Let me say it clearly: as for Oyo State and for most of my colleagues, there is nothing like N30 billion being given to states for food security and I stand to be challenged.
“Yes, the federal government promised the states N5 billion and out of that, it only gave N2 billion and they are even asking that the N2 billion should be refunded right now.
“It is the responsibility of the federal government to manage the fiscal situation in Nigeria and manage the inflationary trend we have in the country right now.
“We have been transparent about everything we are doing here and this is the time for us to stay together as a nation to solve the problems we are facing. It is not the time to engage in blame games and propaganda. Hunger and anger are real and, as leaders, we must address them
The Daily Times recalled that the President of the Senate made reference to certain money paid to state governors to cushion the effects of acute food shortage in their states.
He also referenced protests staged against the high cost of food items and cost of living in different parts of the country.
Akpabio had, during Senate plenary on Tuesday, said he had information that apart from the first tranche of funds given to the governors, additional N30 billion was also given to them through FIRS.
“I must say that unverified report has it that each of the state governments in the last few months had received additional N30 billion from Federal Inland Revenue Service outside their normal allocations from the federation account to assist them in ameliorating the food situation”, Akpabio had said.
The Senate President went further to admonish the governors to maximally and judiciously use the funds to reduce exorbitant cost of food items and other socio- economic problems in their states.
“We believe that every state government should utilise 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 governments 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 governments 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 ground”, Akpabio had said.
