Governors across the country have refuted Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s assertion that the Federal Government disbursed N1.08tn to states to address the prevailing food crisis. The denial comes in response to Akpabio’s statement during the inauguration of the renovated central mosque in Oyo State.
Governor Seyi Makinde, Vice-Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, contradicted Akpabio, stating that state governors did not receive N30bn each, as claimed by the Senate President. Officials from Lagos, Zamfara, Benue, Osun, Katsina, and Enugu states also confirmed that their governments did not receive N30bn.
The disbursement in question refers to the N2bn each state received in September 2023 from the N5bn loan provided by the Federal Government. This financial aid aimed to mitigate the impact of fuel subsidy removal, which, coupled with other economic reforms, led to a nationwide cost of living crisis marked by increased transport costs, food inflation, and a depreciating naira.
Akpabio, during a recent plenary session, suggested that unverified reports indicated a supplementary disbursement of N30bn to each state from the Federal Inland Revenue Service. Governors have now vehemently denied the receipt of such funds, highlighting the need for accurate information amid the ongoing economic challenges.
