- Alleges money might be used for 2027 Presidential campaign
From Idu Jude Abuja
Contrary to President Bola Tinubu’s decision to establish infrastructure support fund (ISF), to the 36 states of the Federation, Chieftain of the All Progressive Congress APC, Dr Garus Gololo, has querried the rational behind the idea, despite poor records of financial misconduct among Governors over the years.
Dr Gololo, who spoke to The Sun exclusively over the weekend, alleged that the money in question, might go the same way of subsidy and covid 19 palliatives, that was found at individual projects.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu, was announced by his aid, Dele Alake Thursday, to have approved the establishment of the infrastructure support fund (ISF) for the 36 states as part of measures to cushion the effects of petrol subsidy removal.
Gololo, agued that there are several challenging issues waiting the country than handing money over to the States governors with bleeding poor financial misconduct in the past. “This is impossible to believe and I would like Nigerians to challenge this move because it is another way of funding 2027 presidential campaign election. We have seen that before and soon there posters would flood everywhere to justify the money. We saw it in the most dehumanizing way the COVID-19 palliative were shared to Nigerians”.
” But why can’t our leaders be sensitive to the plight of the common masses. Why can’t he put in roads infrastructure, why not declare state of emergency on education, health. We also have issues on foods security. Why not empower women through the SMEs and ensure that every Nigerian homes are torched?
Meanwhile, the former BOT of APC, has challenged governors from the opposition parties to justify the need for the ISF before Nigerians through that showcase it’s capacity as capable opposition parties. ” The whole amazes me and more surprising is the way Governors from the main opposition parties also shut up their mouths and we’re not able to speak out. I suppose it is time for them to speak out and play opposition. They should be able to reject such money. Over and over again they have received such money from Mr. President with no trace of any projects executed by them.
It is time Nigerians eschew religious sentiments, tribal sentiments while choosing their leaders. He said, ” this is because they use it as major tools to favour particular candidate. I know some state Governors that cannot boast of any single project but already made intention known to context the 2027 presidential poll. Come to talk of it. We know that those who have ruled this country are either ex- Governors, ex- military heads of state. This time around, we should be able to give it to someone of a neutral background”.
He however, called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC to open up investigation on individuals who have mismanaged the common wealth of this country”.
Explaining the terms, he said, that Dele Alake, special adviser to the president on special duties, communications and strategies, said the infrastructure fund would enable the states to “intervene and invest in critical areas” so as to improve economic competitiveness, create jobs and deliver economic prosperity.
Gololo told that Alake, listed the areas as “transportation, including farm-to-market road improvements; agriculture, encompassing livestock and ranching solutions; health, with a focus on basic healthcare; education, especially basic education; power and water resources.
“Alake said the FAAC also agreed that only N907 billion of the distributable revenue of N1.9 trillion in June will be shared among the three tiers of government. The committee resolved that the balance of N790 billion will be saved.
“The committee also resolved to save a portion of the monthly distributable proceeds to minimize the impact of the increased revenues occasioned by the subsidy removal and exchange rate unification-on money supply, as well as inflation and the exchange rate,” Alake said in the statement.
“Out of the June 2023 distributable revenue of N1.9 trillion, only N907 billion will be distributed among the three tiers of government, while 790 billion will be saved, and the rest will be used for statutory deductions.
“These savings will complement the efforts of the infrastructure support fund (ISF) and other existing and planned fiscal measures, all aimed at ensuring that the subsidy removal translates into tangible improvements in the lives and living standards of Nigerians”.