‘Seyi Makinde, the Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, has refuted allegations that each of the 36 state governors received N30 billion from the federal government to tackle the food crisis.
This statement was made in Iseyin, where he inaugurated the newly refurbished Iseyin Central Mosque, a multi-billion naira project facilitated by legal luminary Ahmed Raji, SAN. He praised the religious harmony in Oyo State as a model.
Makinde categorically denied Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s assertion that each state received an additional N30 billion beyond their statutory revenue allocations to combat food insecurity. He emphasized that Oyo State did not receive any N30 billion from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) or the federal government, and pledged his government’s ongoing commitment to transparency.
As the governor of Oyo State, Makinde affirmed his efforts to alleviate the economic burden on the populace. He called on leaders to inspire confidence and hope in the public during these challenging times, rather than resorting to blame shifting.
He further clarified that not only did Oyo State not receive N30 billion from any federal government agency or department, but the same could be said for his counterparts, as he is the vice chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF).
Makinde criticized Akpabio’s reliance on uncorroborated reports, explaining that it was not feasible for states to receive funds directly from the FIRS, as all revenues are deposited into the Federation Account and are jointly owned by the federal, state, and local governments.
Makinde disclosed that the only funds Oyo State received from the federal government, apart from the statutory allocation, was N2 billion of the N5 billion pledged to all states following the removal of fuel subsidy. He added that the federal government has been requesting a refund of the N2 billion.
He expressed concern about the Senate President quoting an unverified report, stating, “This is the time when we, as leaders, should instill confidence in our people, not engage in political games or scapegoating. We need to connect with our people. If our policies are not effective, we need to listen to the people and make adjustments.” He challenged anyone to prove that Oyo State, or any other state, received N30 billion for food security.
