Oyo State Governor and Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Seyi Makinde, has clarified that state governors did not receive ₦30bn from the Federal Government to address food insecurity, contrary to speculations.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Suleiman Olarenwaju, Makinde emphasized that the state has not received any ₦30bn from either the Federal Inland Revenue Service or the Federal Government.
According to him, his administration values transparency and has maintained openness with the people of the state.
The Governor reiterated his commitment to mitigating the effects of economic hardships on the populace and cautioned leaders against instilling confidence and hope in citizens rather than indulging in blame games.
Makinde disputed Akpabio’s reliance on unverified reports, explaining that states cannot receive funds directly from the FIRS as all revenues go into the Federation Account, which is shared among the FG, states, and local governments.
He clarified that Oyo State received only ₦2 billion out of the ₦5 billion promised to all states after the removal of fuel subsidy, with the FG requesting the refund of the ₦2 billion.
Makinde highlighted the efforts of his administration in cushioning the hardship faced by residents through initiatives like the Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER) implemented since June 9, 2023.
He stressed the importance of unity and prayer during the challenging economic times, emphasizing the need for effective leadership to address real issues and provide genuine solutions.
The Governor urged leaders to refrain from politicizing the situation and focus on collaborating to alleviate hunger and frustration among the populace. He criticized the dissemination of unverified reports and emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in addressing the nation’s challenges.
