Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has refuted claims made by Senate President Godswill Akpabio regarding an alleged additional N30 billion allocation to states by the Federal Government to address food insecurity.
Speaking during the commissioning of the newly renovated Iseyin Central Mosque, Governor Makinde asserted that Oyo State had not received any such allocation from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) or the Federal Government.
In his capacity as the Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Governor Makinde emphasized the need for leaders to focus on finding real solutions to the challenges facing the nation rather than engaging in political blame games. He stressed the importance of instilling confidence and hope in the citizenry during these difficult times.
Governor Makinde stated the efforts of his administration in mitigating the economic hardship faced by the people of Oyo State. He referenced the implementation of measures under the SAfER initiative since June 9, 2023, aimed at cushioning the impact of policies on the populace. These measures included providing health insurance for citizens, distributing farm inputs to farmers, and ensuring timely payment of wages and pensions.
Regarding workers’ welfare, Governor Makinde stated that his administration had consistently paid the minimum wage of N25,000 to workers and N15,000 to pensioners for nearly six months. He further announced an extension of the payment for another six months to allow for the conclusion of discussions on minimum wage adjustments.
