The Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, last night accused some “certain governors” of lying “to the effect that Federal workers are being owed salaries.”

“This is incorrect. Staff salaries at the Federal level are up to date; workers have received their April salaries,” her Special Adviser Paul C Nwabuikwu said in a statement in Abuja.

Nwabuikwu, who was apparently referring to All Progressives Congress (APC) governors, said: “Regarding difficulties in salary payment, certain governors are trying to blame the Federal for their predicament. This is wrong. They had been told through the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) to prioritise salaries but chose not to do so, hence the backlog that some states are experiencing.

“The 50% drop in revenues simply means that salaries should be prioritised.

“The Federal Government should not be blamed for avoidable mistakes made at state level.”

•Photo shows Okonjo-Iweala.