The National Economic Council, NEC, said on Thursday that there was no printing of N60 billion as claimed by Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, or any other amount whatsoever to augment March allocation from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee, FAAC.
The NEC conclusion flowed from the sundry presentations made by the Minister of Finance, the Central Bank Governor, and the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF).
A statement issued at the end of the meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said that the meeting critically reviewed the issue.
Those who attended the Thursday included many of the State Governors, FCT Minister, the Central Bank Governor; Finance, Transport, Information, Aviation and Water Resources Ministers.
The Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Ikanade Agba, also attended.
The Council expressed satisfaction with clarifications made by the NGF represented by its Chairman, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, Finance Minister, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed and the Central Bank Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele on the alleged printing of N60 billion by the Federal Government.
Both the Minister and the CBN Governor explained to the Council that the allegation of the printing of money to augment allocation was false outright.
The NGF also supported the conclusion and NEC affirmed the same as the highest constitutional body tasked with economic affairs in the country, according to the statement signed by spokesperson of the Vice President, Mr Laolu Akande.
On the resolution of security concerns in parts of the country, the Council unanimously affirmed the unity of Nigeria and said it would adopt the report of the national townhall meeting on National Unity and Security held recently in Kaduna.
The Council, while welcoming the outcome of the townhall meeting, urged all States to hold wider consultations across the country and report back to NEC the outcome of the meetings.
After this, a national consensus would be reached on the recommendations which included the adoption of State Police, among other matters.
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