Presidential Aide Challenges Falana’s Criticism Of Post COVID-19 Fund

Presidential Aide Challenges Falana’s Criticism Of Post COVID-19 Fund

Judiciary Should Not Determine Election Winners, Says Falana Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Temitope Ajayi, has contested Femi Falana’s critique of the N135 billion post-COVID-19 reimbursement provided to 36 states in December, labeling it as a distortion of facts…..READ ALSO

In a statement issued on Wednesday in Lagos, Ajayi refuted Falana’s claims made in a viral video where he referenced the N135 billion disbursed to the 36 states in December 2023 during a memorial event for Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti, alleging exaggeration and embellishment.

Ajayi clarified, “What the Lagos lawyer portrayed in the trending video is a complete misrepresentation of facts. He also failed to disclose the actual reason behind the release of the said amount to the states under the World Bank-funded NG-CARES Programme.”

Providing context, Ajayi highlighted the ongoing global economic repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, stressing its impact on global supply chains, which have yet to fully recover.

He emphasized that COVID-19 worsened poverty worldwide, particularly through the loss of livelihoods in rural and urban communities.

Post-COVID-19, global organizations like the World Health Organization and World Bank continue to support countries in enhancing their health systems and emergency readiness to tackle future public health crises.

“In line with the WHO and World Bank framework, the Federal Government disbursed N135.4 billion to the states in December 2023 to further manage the aftermath of COVID-19,” Ajayi explained.

This disbursement followed an independent assessment of the results achieved under the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus Programme.

Ajayi clarified that the NG-CARES Programme, supported by the World Bank and implemented nationwide, aimed to alleviate the economic and social shocks experienced by vulnerable individuals due to the pandemic.

He noted that the reimbursement was only provided to states that adhered to prescribed procedures and demonstrated tangible results in supporting poor and vulnerable Nigerians.

While acknowledging the role of critics in ensuring accountability and transparency in public affairs, Ajayi cautioned against relying on individuals who manipulate facts and half-truths to incite public sentiment.