Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has challenged Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s assertion regarding the allocation of funds for palliative measures amid the nation’s hardship.
Governor Eno clarified that the federal government provided only ₦2 billion to state governments for palliative purposes, contrary to Akpabio’s claim of ₦30 billion allocated to each state. Moreover, Eno revealed that the purported ₦2 billion was labeled as a loan by the federal government, necessitating repayment by the states.
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State echoed Eno’s stance, refuting Akpabio’s statement and affirming that Oyo State did not receive the claimed ₦30 billion from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
Akpabio had made the assertion during a plenary session, attributing the protests against food scarcity to political stakeholders and urging governors to utilize the funds solely for addressing the shortage of food items.
Governor Eno expressed skepticism regarding Akpabio’s declaration, stating, “We are in a time where people want to be relevant, and they feel that being relevant is to incite the public, tell lies against the government.” Eno emphasized the need for accurate information dissemination and cautioned against spreading false alarms.
Regarding the ₦2 billion allocation, Eno disclosed that the federal government had requested repayment, casting doubt on the nature of the funds designated for palliative measures.
He emphasized the significance of transparency in financial matters and urged patience until official accounts are published.
In conclusion, while Akpabio’s claim of a ₦30 billion allocation remains unsubstantiated, Governor Eno expressed hope that such a provision would materialize, acknowledging the potential relief it could offer amidst prevailing challenges.
