In a turn of events, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has issued an apology to state governors regarding his recent remarks on the alleged N30 billion hardship allowance disbursed to them. The apology comes after Akpabio’s initial statement during a plenary session last Tuesday, where he referenced an “unverified report” suggesting that state governors received N30 billion each from the Federation Account to alleviate the impacts of inflation and soaring food prices.
Akpabio’s remarks sparked immediate reactions from some governors, including Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, who vehemently refuted the claim. Makinde emphasized the need to focus on substantive issues rather than engaging in political maneuvers, stating, “This is not the time to play politics, as we have real issues that deserve real solutions.”
Responding to the criticism, Akpabio, through his media adviser, Eseme Eyiboh, expressed regret over the misconceptions generated by his statement. Eyiboh clarified that Akpabio’s intention was to encourage state governments to collaborate with the federal government in addressing economic challenges, particularly in the realm of food security.
“The unfortunate conjectures to take away the kernel in the material facts of FAAC payment are rather regretted,” stated Eyiboh, emphasizing Akpabio’s commitment to fostering cooperation between state and federal authorities.
Furthermore, Eyiboh highlighted Akpabio’s acknowledgment of the efforts made by governors to mitigate the adverse effects of the current socio-economic environment. He urged stakeholders not to be distracted by misunderstandings surrounding Akpabio’s comments and to remain focused on collaborative efforts to address pressing issues.
“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,” Eyiboh added.
Akpabio’s apology signals a desire to maintain constructive dialogue and cooperation between the legislative and executive branches of government, as well as with state-level administrations. The incident underscores the importance of accurate communication and collaboration in addressing complex socio-economic challenges facing the nation.
