Obi urge FG to give details of ₦30bn disbursed to each state governor for good governance, accountability

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, has asked the Federal Government to explain the details of the ₦30 billion palliative funds it disbursed to state governors.

The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio recently stated that state governors received ₦30 billion each to address the food crisis and the high cost of living in their states.

Reacting to this remark, Obi in a series of tweets on Friday, February 23, 2024, advised the federal government to make the details of the disbursed funds available to the public in the interest of good governance and accountability.

He said, “Recently, the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio announced that a staggering financial support of ₦1.1 trillion, amounting to a sum of ₦30 billion each was doled out to the State Governors to help ameliorate the present hardship in the country.

“While the Federal Government is to be commended for offering such huge support, considering the difficult times people are going through, it is pertinent, for the interest of good governance and transparency, that the details of the disbursement of such support be explained further, so that the public, the masses for whom the support is meant, can follow through and ensure that it is utilized appropriately to the benefit of the people.”

Obi also advised the governors to use the funds judiciously “to ensure that the resources are genuinely and transparently invested in productive ventures to alleviate present hardship” in the country.

He said instead of spending “scarce and borrowed money at immediate problems, and consumption,” the governors should come up with a clear plan and invest aggressively in production.

He stressed that Nigeria needs to move from consumption to production by prioritizing and investing in human development.

Meanwhile, contrary to Akpabio’s claim, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has denied receiving ₦30bn for palliative, describing the claim as untrue.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Suleiman Olarenwaju, in Ibadan on Thursday, Makinde said Oyo State did not get such funds.

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has revealed that the Federal Government recently disbursed ₦30bn to each of the 36 state governments to tackle the food crisis.

He disclosed this during plenary on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, as lawmakers debated necessary measures to prevent the looming famine and make foodstuffs affordable for Nigerians.

Nigerian citizens are currently grappling with food crises caused by insecurity, ballooning inflation and the eroding purchasing power of the masses.

He said the funds which were disbursed to the governors by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), were outside their statutory allocation from the federation account.

He, therefore, called on states to rise to their responsibilities and make judicious use of the funds to cushion the people’s sufferings.

“I must say that unverified report has it that each of the state governments in the last few months have received additional ₦30bn from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) outside their normal allocations from the federation account to assist them in ameliorating the food situation. So we believe that every government should utilise the funds so received towards ensuring that food is available in the country.

“So, the state governments have a lot to do. They’re closest to the people. And I don’t even want to mention local governments because most local governments are controlled by the state governors. So, my belief is that if the state government do what is needful, then the local governments, in turn, will also be involved in sharing to make sure that these things get to the people,” the Senate President said.

While commending his colleagues for their efforts in suggesting solutions to tackle the crisis in the country, Akpabio warned that Nigerians won’t be interested in excuses in the face of untold hardship.

He also assured the people of the Federal Government’s commitment to solving the food crisis and other economic challenges despite the situation it met on the ground.

He said, “But we must not overlook the fact that Nigerians are not going to be interested in stories. Nigerians want to see action, and that’s why I commend the joint committees for the recommendations that they have done. And I commend the senators who are constantly going back home almost every weekend to assist to make sure you reduce whatever suffering.

He assured the people that this government will do everything possible that’s why I said no policy will be exclusive or excluded, it’s an emergency situation. Nigerians want to eat food and we are going to provide food for them. The government will have no excuse, despite what we met on the ground,” the Senate President added.