Senate President Godswill Akpabio has clarified his recent statement regarding the disbursement of N30 billion from the Federal Government to governors to alleviate hardship.
Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State had contested the accuracy of Akpabio’s claim.
In a statement released in Abuja by his spokesperson, Eseme Eyiboh, Akpabio emphasized that his remarks were misinterpreted and expressed his utmost respect for the governors.
The statement emphasized Akpabio’s intention to encourage state governments to collaborate with the Federal Government to address economic challenges across the nation. It underscored the importance of cooperation between state governments and the administration of President Bola Tinubu in implementing strategic interventions to mitigate the prevailing economic conditions.
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 the circumstance.
“He, therefore, urges the sub-national governments not to be distracted by any misunderstanding of the context and true meaning of the statement.
“The President of the Senate recognizes 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.”
