Makinde Replies Akpabio, Says FG Didn’t Share N30bn Each to States

*Governor hails Ahmed Raji for renovating Iseyin Central Mosque

The Oyo State governor and Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), ‘Seyi Makinde, has declared that there is no truth in the claim by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, that states of the federation got additional N30 billion each outside of their statutory revenue allocations, to address food insecurity in their states.

The governor stated this yesterday at Iseyin, where he commissioned the newly-renovated multi-billion Naira Iseyin Central Mosque facilitated by legal icon, Ahmed Raji (SAN), hailing the religious harmony in Oyo state as being exemplary.
He noted that Oyo state had not got any N30 billion from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) or the federal government, adding that his government had been and will always be open and transparent to the people of the state.

Makinde stressed that he had been doing everything to cushion the effect of the economic hardship on the people, warning that leaders should instil confidence and hope in the citizenry in this trying time, rather than playing the blame game.
He added that apart from Oyo state not getting N30 billion from any agency or department of the federal government, he could say the same for his colleague-governors as vice chairman of the NGF.

Makinde decried Akpabio’s reliance on unverified reports, clarifying that it was impossible for states to get funds from FIRS, since all revenues go into the Federation Account and belongs to the federal government, states and the local governments.
According to Makinde, the only fund that Oyo State got from the federal government outside of statutory allocation was N2 billion out of the N5 billion promised to all states in the wake of the removal of fuel subsidy.

He added that the federal government had even been asking for the refund of the N2 billion.
Makinde added that his government has been doing its best to mitigate the hardship on residents of the state, having been first to announce and implement measures to cushion the effect of the hardship through the Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SafER).

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.

“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, Senator Godswill Akpabio, made a statement, though he said it was unverified report.”

According to him, it is not time to play politics , but one to be true to the people who elected politicians at all levels.
“Please, listen to me loud and clear. I can speak for Oyo State and can also speak for any of my colleagues. This is because, as the vice chairman of NGF, I know when things are happening.

“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.
“Federal government 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,” he added.

While commending Raji on the success of the mosque renovation, which he noted is a befitting place to worship God, Makinde hailed the religious harmony in Oyo State as evidenced in the presence of representatives of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) at the event.
Also speaking, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, appreciated Makinde for attending the event and for speaking passionately as expected of leaders, saying the Oyo State governor is on the right track.

He said: “We appreciate the governor for being with us here today. I appreciate him for speaking in a passionate tone and that is how a leader should speak to his people to let them know he cares for them.

“Seyi, don’t worry, we are with you and will keep on praying for you. We will keep on supporting you because you are on the right track.”

The Sultan also hailed Raji for being a humanitarian supporting Muslims and non-Muslims.

Earlier, the facilitator of the Iseyin Central Mosque renovation project, Raji, appreciated the governor for his presence, urging citizens of the country to continue to pray for their leaders.