In a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Suleiman Olarenwaju, in Ibadan on Thursday, Governor Makinde of Oyo State refuted claims of the state receiving N30 billion from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) or the Federal Government.
Emphasizing his commitment to transparency, Governor Makinde asserted that his administration has consistently been open with the people of the state. He highlighted efforts to alleviate the economic challenges faced by the citizens, cautioning leaders against playing the blame game and urging them to instill confidence and hope in the populace during challenging times.
Governor Makinde criticized the reliance on unverified reports, particularly mentioning Senator Godswill Akpabio’s statement regarding states receiving additional funds from FIRS for food security. He clarified that states cannot directly receive funds from FIRS, as all revenues contribute to the Federation Account, shared among the Federal Government, states, and local governments.
The Governor disclosed that Oyo State received only N2 billion from the Federal Government, part of the N5 billion promised to all states after the removal of fuel subsidy. He noted that the Federal Government has even requested the refund of the N2 billion.
Governor Makinde highlighted the proactive measures taken by his government to mitigate the economic hardship, such as the Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER) implemented on June 9, 2023. He stressed the importance of unity and prayers during these challenging times and outlined various initiatives, including health insurance for residents, support for farmers, and ongoing discussions on minimum wage.
Concluding, Governor Makinde urged against playing politics, emphasizing the need for real solutions to address the pressing issues of hunger and anger in the nation. He questioned the basis of unverified reports and called for national unity to tackle the shared challenges.
