By Chibuike Nwabuko
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – Human Rights Activist and former federal lawmaker that represented Kaduna Central Senatorial District in the 8th Senate, Senator Shehu Sani has reacted to the controversy over the alleged N30billion shared to 36 state governors’, asking why the secrecy and wondering why Cardoso-led Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is silent about the issue.
Sundiata Post recalls that on the 21st of February, 2024, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio said an “unverified report” indicated that state governors received N30 billion each from the Federation Account to ameliorate inflation and the high cost of food in their respective states.
Last September, the federal government said N2 billion was released to governors out of the N5 billion loan it offered to each state as a palliative to cushion the effect of the removal of fuel subsidy.
During the plenary, Mr Akpabio said information available to him indicates that apart from the first tranche of funds given to the governors, an additional N30 billion was also given to them through the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
“I must say that unverified report has it that each of the state governments in the last few months has received additional N30 billion from Federal Inland Revenue Service outside their normal allocations from the Federation Account to assist them in ameliorating the food situation,” he said.
The senate president therefore advised the governors to utilise the funds judiciously to reduce the high cost of food items and other challenges facing the country.
“We believed that every state government should utilise the funds received towards ensuring that food is available in the country.
“So, the state governments have a lot to do. They are closer to the people and I do not want to mention local government because most of the local governments are controlled by the state governors.
My belief is that if the state government does what is needed, then the local government will be involved in sharing to make sure that these things get to the people. But we must not overlook the fact that Nigerians are not going to be interested in stories.
“Nigerians want to see action. Nigerians want to eat and we will provide food for them, there is no excuse. Despite what we met on ground” Mr Akpabio added.
Senator Akpabio explained that the worsening state of the economy was caused by COVID-19, insecurity and the N30 trillion Ways and Means advancement obtained by the Muhammadu Buhari administration from the Central Bank of Nigeria.
However. In a swift reaction on the 22nd of February, the Vice chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), and Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, debunked Akpabio’s claims that 36 state governors were given N30billion each by the federal government to address the problem of food crisis in the country.
The governor, debunked the claim in Iseyin, where he commissioned the newly-renovated multi-billion naira Iseyin Central Mosque facilitated by legal luminary, Ahmed Raji, SAN.
Makinde declared that there was no truth in the claim by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, that states of the federation got additional N30billion each outside of their statutory allocations, to address food insecurity in their states.
According to him, Oyo State has not gotten any N30billion from FIRS or the federal government and that his government has been and will always be open and transparent to the people of the state.
Makinde, who added that he has been doing everything to cushion the effect of the economic hardship on the people, warned that leaders should instill confidence and hope in the citizenry in this trying time rather than playing blame game.
The governor added that apart from Oyo 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 Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF).
Makinde accused Akpabio of relying on unverified reports, clarifying that it was impossible for states to get funds from the FIRS, since all revenues go into the Federation Account and belongs to the Federal Government, states and the local governments.
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. Well, 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, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, made a statement, though he said it was unverified report, stating that the state governments received additional N30 billion from the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, outside of our statutory allocation, in the last few months, to address food security.
“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 Nigeria Governors’ Forum, 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 goes into the federation account and it is distributed to all tiers of government. The FG 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.
We need to engage with our people. If our policies are not working, we need to listen to the people and amend. So, if the Number Three Citizen had nothing but unverified report, why did he need to say it? Does his statement give confidence to the people or solve the problem of hunger and anger in the land? Let me say it clearly: as for Oyo State and for most of my colleagues, there is nothing like N30 billion being given to states for food security and I stand to be challenged.
“Yes, the Federal Government promised the states N5 billion and out of that, it only gave N2 billion and they are even asking that the N2 billion should be refunded right now. It is the responsibility of the Federal Government to manage the fiscal situation in Nigeria and manage the inflationary trend we have in the country right now.
We have been transparent about everything we are doing here and this is the time for us to stay together as a nation to solve the problems we are facing. It is not the time to engage in blame games and propaganda. Hunger and anger are real and, as leaders, we must address them.”
Similarly, on the 26th February, Akpabio recanted, saying he holds governors in high regards, adding that his remark on how much each governor purportedly received from the federal government, in the face of economic hardship, was misunderstood and taken out of context.
In a statement by Eseme Eyiboh, Akpabio’s spokesperson, said the senate president was only urging state governments to collaborate with the federal government.
The unfortunate conjectures to take away the kernel in the material facts of FAAC payment are rather regretted,” the statement reads.
“In considering the well-intended motive of urging state governments to collaborate with the federal government of President Bola Tinubu to facilitate strategic interventions to mitigate the prevailing economic situation in the country remains the underpinning motivation in the comment.
“The President of the Senate is not oblivious to the fact that state governments are functional partners in all the efforts of the current administration of President Bola Tinubu and are also valuable stakeholders’ in the various legislative engagements of the legislature in creating the nexus between the legislature and the people.
The President of the Senate has always demonstrated commitment to team building and shall not do less in this circumstance.
“He therefore urges the sub-national governments not to be distracted by any misunderstanding of the context and true meaning of the statement.”
Eyiboh said Akpabio “recognises and appreciates the current efforts of the governors at ameliorating the adverse effects of the current inclement socio-economic environment, and therefore invites more hands on the plow to complement the renewed hope agenda.
Based on the foregoing, Human Rights Crusader, Comrade Shehu Sani took to his X account (formerly twitrer) and stressed that the claim, denial and counter- claim did not explain how much was additionally shared to them apart from the federal allocation.
He therefore charged the CBN to exonerate itself from this conspiracy of silence and secrecy by coming out and putting the records straight.
Reacting through his X account, Shehu Sani said;
“The claim that 30 billion was shared to Governors was dismissed and now confirmed to be incorrect; but it doesn’t explain how much was additionally shared to them apart from the federal allocation. Why the secrecy and why is the CBN silent on this?”
Sundiata Post further recalls that there have been calls in some quarters for President Bola Tinubu to direct the Fiance minister and CBN Governor to publish allocations to states in the national dailies for the Nigerian people to use and hold their governors to account.
One of such calls was made by Barrister Daniel Bwala on the 17th of February via his X account @BwalaDaniel where he said:
“I want to appeal to the Nigerian governors (sadly they come from all major political parties) to fear God and remember life hereafter and make use of the increased Federation Allocation to deal with hunger and poverty in their respective states
Since the removal of fuel subsidy, states are now receiving almost three times their previous earnings and it appears nothing visible or tangible is seen across states of the federation
Someone alleged that each time FAAC is received the value of dollar goes up; whether it’s true or not I don’t know, but governors honestly need to fear God and deliver governance to their people.
Some of the pressures being mounted on President Tinubu are purely the responsibilities of governors who have abandoned their states to the federal government
I urge Mr President @officialABAT to direct the Fiancé minister and CBN Governor to publish allocations to states in the national dailies for the Nigerian people to use and hold their governors to account.
I remember in the past administration, similar pressures were mounted on either President Jonathan or Obasanjo, until Okonjo Iweala was asked to publish allocations, then governors started sitting up.