Toba Owojaiye reporting
Benin City, Edo State
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has refuted Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s assertion that each state received an additional N30 billion from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to tackle food insecurity.
Truth Live News gathered that Governor Makinde, who is also the Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, emphasized that Oyo State had not received such funds, and urged leaders to prioritize addressing real issues rather than engaging in political blame games.
Recall that Akpabio, while speaking in the senate, urged states to utilize the purported funds to ensure food availability. However, Makinde countered, highlighting the importance of leaders fostering confidence and hope during challenging times.
He stressed that Oyo State had been proactive in implementing measures to mitigate economic hardships, including the SAfER program initiated in June 2023.
Furthermore, the Benue State Commissioner for Finance and Budget Planning, Michael Oglegba, discredited Akpabio’s claim, stating that no such disbursement had occurred. Oglegba clarified that while the states had received various allocations, none were earmarked for addressing hunger specifically.
Similarly, officials from Katsina and Zamfara States denied knowledge of the alleged fund disbursement. The Director-General of Media in Katsina State, Maiwada Dammallam, and the Special Assistant to the Zamfara State Governor on Media and Communications, Mustafa Kaura, both asserted their lack of awareness regarding the purported N30 billion disbursement.
The Enugu State government echoed these sentiments, with the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Peter Mbah on media, Mr. Dan Nwomeh, affirming their lack of knowledge about the fund.
