Akwa Ibom government has accused the Federal Government of deducting over N6.8 billion from the state’s allocation for some months.

The government also said the Federal Government had withheld its derivation funds.

Governor Udom Emmanuel disclosed this on Wednesday and attributed the unwarranted deductions to politics, especially as a strategy to put the state into financial difficulties.

The governor assured the presidential hopeful of fairness and sincerity in the process that would produce the candidate to fly the PDP flag in the 2019 presidential race.

He explained that the PDP had deliberately refused to identify the PDP candidate at the moment in order to ensure a level playing field for all aspirants.

He expressed delight at the quality of individuals from the umbrella party vying for the party’s presidential ticket.

He expressed hope that Nigerians would appreciate the seriousness of the party when the aspirants are eventually presented to them.

He said an avenue would be created for aspirants to address the nation on a live programme to convince Nigerians on what the PDP was actually bringing to the table.

• Excerpted from a Daily Independent report