Days After Akpabio Exposed Additional N30 billion Given To Governors; See What A Governor Said That Shocked Everyone
A war of words has erupted between the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, over the alleged distribution of N30 billion to the state governments by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
While Akpabio claimed that the federal government had released the funds to the governors to address the food crisis in the country, Makinde denied receiving any such money and accused the Senate President of spreading false information.
The controversy started on Wednesday, when Akpabio, during a plenary session of the Senate, said that the federal government had given an additional N30 billion to each of the 36 state governors, apart from their monthly allocation, to tackle the food scarcity situation in the country.
He also alleged that some of the protests that had rocked the country in recent times over rising hunger and hardship were sponsored by political actors who wanted to discredit the government.
He urged the governors not to divert the funds for other purposes, but to use them to ensure food security and stability in their states.
However, Makinde, who was speaking at the unveiling of the Iseyin Central Mosque in the Iseyin area of Oyo State on Friday, challenged Akpabio to provide evidence for his claims, saying that he had not received any N30 billion from the FIRS.
He said that it was not possible for the FIRS to issue money to any state, as the funds in the federation account were meant for all Nigerians and not for distribution among the state governments.
He expressed dismay at what he described as Akpabio’ s unsubstantiated remarks, saying that they were capable of causing confusion and distrust among the people.
Furthermore, he said that it was a critical
period for the government to instill confidence in the people rather than contributing to political tension. Likewise, he also called on the federal government to be transparent and accountable in the management of the nation’s resources, and to ensure that the states get their fair share of the revenue.
Not only that, but he said that his administration was committed to
delivering good governance and development to the people of Oyo State, despite the challenges posed by the economic situation in the country.
News Source;
SR Sahara Reporters
