Presidential candidate of Labour Party in 2023, Peter Obi, has asked the Federal Government to reveal details of the alleged disbursement of N30 billion each to the 36 state governors to ameliorate inflation and high cost of food items.
He made the demand on Friday while emphasising that government must stop the unproductive habit of throwing scarce and borrowed money for the purpose of immediate consumption.
His statement followed the claim by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, that an “unverified report” showed that governors received N30bn each from the federation account to alleviate the economic hardship in their respective states.
But Oyo state governor Seyi Makinde dismissed Akpabio’s reference to the report, saying there was no truth in the claim.
In a statement released via Twitter (X), Obi said the details of the disbursement should be explained in the interest of good governance and transparency.
The former Anambra governor said it would enable the masses, for whom the support is meant, to follow through and ensure that it is utilized appropriately to their benefit.
Obi said; “Recently, the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, announced that a staggering financial support of N1.1 trillion, amounting to a sum of N30 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 a 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.
“While waiting for such details, I appeal that concerted efforts should be made to ensure that the resources are genuinely and transparently invested in productive ventures to alleviate present hardship and help the future growth of the country”.
