The Federal Government has ordered the immediate recall of $2.7 billion (₦972 billion) London and Paris Club refunds payment to Osun, Imo, Delta, Rivers and Benue States.

Although no reason was given for the action which many governors have alleged was politically motivated, the deductions were ordered done from the affected state governments’ accounts  with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

However, the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) has conveyed an emergency meeting to challenge the action even as some of the affected state governors have claimed they have used the payments to settle workers’ salaries and pension arrears.

Recall that Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom had last week confirmed the receipt of ₦14.9 billion Paris Club refund from the Federal Government, adding that 80 per cent of the funds would be committed to payment of salaries, pensions and gratuities.

At the meeting, the NGF Chairman, Gov. Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State was reported to have advised the governors to come with evidence of payment of at least three months salaries from the refund.