Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, on Thursday, refuted the claim by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, that the Federal Inland Revenue Services, FIRS, disbursed N30 billion to each state of the federation for food security, describing the statement as mere propaganda.
Makinde, who spoke in Iseyin area of Oyo State during the commissioning of the renovated Iseyin Central Mosque, wondered why the President of the Senate would rely on an unconfirmed report.
The Governor, who is the Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum said he could speak for himself and other governors in the country that no such money was disbursed to any State.
Makinde said the FIRS cannot give any money to any state, and that all revenues go directly into the federation account where allocations are given to all the tiers of government.
He said, “I can speak for Oyo State and I can also speak for any of my colleagues because as the Vice Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum. I know when things happen. And if we want to play politics, we will keep quiet and say let it slide, but we are not going to let this slide.
“First, FIRS cannot give any money to any state, it is not possible. All revenue accruing to our country goes into the federation account and it is distributed to all the tiers of government. The FG does not give money to the state, the money in the federation account belong to all of us, and it is not only to the FG.
“If the Senate President, the number three citizen in this country would rely on unverified report, people are looking at us as leaders. This is the period we are supposed to give confidence to our people, it is not the time to start playing politics and to start looking for scape goat.
“We need to engage with our people, if our policies are not working, we need to listen to them and emend. If the number three citizen says this is an unverified report, why does he need to say it then, does that gives confidence to our people or does it solve the problem of hunger and anger in our land?
“Let me say it clearly, for Oyo State and my colleagues, there is nothing like N30b being given for food security to the states and I stand to be challenged.”