THE Presidency on Wednesday told Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State that the Federal Government had not lied about the implementation of the promised N5,000 monthly stipend to the most vulnerable Nigerians.
Following the announcement at the weekend by the presidency that some states including Ekiti have begun to receive the payment, the governor had described it as a mere propaganda.
But responding to the claim, the Special Adviser to the president on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, noted that the present administration would not lie about such a thing because it was built on integrity and accountability.
He said: “On N,5000 stipend, it was announced specifically from the office of the vice president that the scheme has started in nine states. And then a certain governor came and say it is not true. Is just a matter of who do you believe.
“This is a government that is built on integrity and accountability. This government will not lie to Nigerians, does not lie to Nigerians, in fact anything you hear from this government you can take it to the bank, believe it.
“So, if anybody comes and say it’s politics it’s not true. Choose who to believe I can tell you that you should believe this government because this government will not lie to you.”
Governor Fayose had in a statement on Tuesday in Ado-Ekiti by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Idowu Adelusi, said there was no evidence of the payment in his state.
Fayose had said: “A blind man will say it is when it gets into my mouth that I will say you are feeding me, not promises.
“Apparently, the states they claimed have started receiving the payment are APC-controlled states knowing fully that the governors can not come out to disprove the payment.”
He had admonished the APC government to come to the reality that Nigerians were hungry and also angry and that Nigerians were no longer interested in empty promises.