Senate President Godswill Akpabio has explained himself over the charges of receiving N30bn each from the federal government he levelled at state governors.
“I must say that unverified report has it that each of the state governments in the last few months has received additional N30bn(totalling N1.08tn) from Federal Inland Revenue Service outside their normal allocations from the Federation Account to assist them in ameliorating the food situation,” Akpabio had said during plenary.
His claim drew him opprobrium from the governors who denied receiving such money with Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde saying, “If the number three citizen says this is an unverified report, why does he need to say it? 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: for Oyo State and my colleagues, there is nothing like N30bn being given for food security to the states, and I stand to be challenged.”
In a reply to the governors’ denial laced with displeasure, Akpabio by proxy said his statement was misconstrued.
The former Akwa-Ibom governor stated this via a press release issued by his media aide, Eseme Eyiboh.
It reads in part, “In considering the well-intended motive of urging state governments to collaborate with the Federal Government of President Bola Tinubu to facilitate strategic interventions to mitigate the prevailing economic situation in the country remains the underpinning motivation in the comment.
“The President of the Senate is not oblivious to the fact that State governments are functional partners in all the efforts of the current administration of President Bola Tinubu and are also valuable stakeholders in the various legislative engagements of the legislature in creating the nexus between the legislature and the people.
“The President of the Senate has always demonstrated commitment to team building and shall not do less in the circumstance.
“He, therefore, urges the sub-national governments not to be distracted by any misunderstanding of the context and true meaning of the statement.
“The President of the Senate recognizes and appreciates the current efforts of the governors at ameliorating the adverse effects of the current inclement socio-economic environment and therefore invites more hands on the plow to complement the renewed hope agenda.”