Oyo State has not received any additional N30 billion from FG —Makinde to Akpabio

Governor of Oyo State and Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Seyi Makinde, has dismissed claims made by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, regarding the allocation of additional funds to states to tackle food insecurity.

Makinde categorically stated that Oyo State has not received any additional N30 billion from either the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) or the Federal Government.

He emphasized his administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability, asserting that his government has not concealed any financial transactions from the public.

Addressing the issue during a commissioning ceremony in Iseyin, where the newly-renovated multi-billion Naira Iseyin Central Mosque was unveiled, Governor Makinde highlighted the importance of fostering confidence and hope among citizens during challenging times rather than engaging in a blame game.

Makinde reiterated that his state, along with other Nigerian states, did not receive the alleged additional funds mentioned by the Senate President.

He emphasized that states cannot directly receive funds from the FIRS, as all revenues are channelled into the Federation Account shared among the tiers of government.

Furthermore, Governor Makinde clarified that the only non-statutory allocation Oyo State received from the Federal Government was N2 billion out of the N5 billion promised to all states following the removal of fuel subsidy.

He disclosed that the Federal Government has even requested a refund of the N2 billion.

The governor criticized Akpabio’s reliance on unverified reports and urged leaders to focus on productive measures to alleviate economic hardships faced by the populace.

Speaking on how his government has been handling the economic hardship in the state, Makinde added that his government has been doing its best to mitigate the hardship of the state’s residents.

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 an unverified report, stating that the state governments received an additional N30 billion from the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, outside of our statutory allocation, in the last few months, to address food security.”

“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 go 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 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.”

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