Senate President Godswill Akpabio has issued a public apology to state governors for his controversial statements accusing them of receiving N30 billion from the federal government for various interventions aimed at addressing the food situation in their respective states. The apology comes after a heated exchange between Akpabio and the governors, who vehemently denied the allegations during a recent plenary session.
Akpabio had initially claimed that "unverified" intelligence suggested that state governors received an additional N30 billion each through the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to combat inflation and high food costs. However, the governors refuted these claims, leading to a public spat.
In a statement from the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President of the Senate, Akpabio clarified that his remarks were intended to encourage collaboration between state and federal governments to address economic challenges. He emphasized the need for collective efforts in mitigating the socio-economic impact and invited governors to work together with the federal government for the benefit of the citizens.
The controversy arose amid concerns over the economic impact of the removal of fuel subsidies, with Akpabio urging governors to utilize funds judiciously to alleviate the rising costs of food items. Despite the apology, the incident has sparked discussions on the role of federal-state collaboration in addressing pressing economic issues.
