• Money enough to tackle hunger, Sani says
• ‘Money will end up in govs’ pockets’
• It’s a lie, no governor received N30b, Makinde replies Akpabio
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, yesterday, refuted claim by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, that the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS), disbursed N30 billion to each state of the Federation for food security, describing the statement as mere propaganda.
Makinde, who spoke in the Iseyin area of Oyo State during the commissioning of the renovated Iseyin Central Mosque, wondered why the President of the Senate would rely on an unconfirmed report.
Akpabio had, on Tuesday, during plenary announced that all the 36 governors got N30 billion each to address food scarcity and hardship.
The Senate president added that the Federal Government disbursed the money through Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
But Makinde, who is the vice chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, said he could speak for himself and other governors in the country that no such money was disbursed to any state.
He said: “I can speak for Oyo State and I can also speak for any of my colleagues because as the vice chairman of 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.
“We need to engage with our people, if our policies are not working, we need to listen to them and amend. If the number three citizen says this is an unverified report, why does he need to say it then, does that give confidence to our people or does it solve the problem of hunger and anger in our land?
“Let me say it clearly that for Oyo State and my colleagues, there is nothing like N30 billion being given for food security to states and I stand to be challenged.”
Before Makinde debunked the Akpabio claim, a former Senator, who represented Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, said, yesterday, that the payment of N30 billion to each state governor, as reported by Akpabio, was enough to tackle hunger in the states.
Reacting through his X handle, Sani said since no governor had come out openly to counter the Senate president’s claim, it is important for citizens to demand accountability from them.
He said: “Senate President Akpabio revealed that every state governor was given N30 billion. No governor is yet to dispute that claim.
“That sum is adequate to solve the problem of hunger in your state. Call out your state government and hold them accountable as you do to the FG. N30 billion is not 3k,” the former lawmaker wrote.
Sani spoke just as the Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) warned that the N30 billion might be embezzled by governors.
COSEYL, in a statement, yesterday, by its President General, Goodluck Ibem, expressed concern that the money would not get to the targeted beneficiaries.
The group urged President Tinubu to reach the citizens directly via their various bank account details, stressing that previous interventions rolled out by the Federal Government were not received by the people.
