By Daniel Edu
The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has raised accusations against Governor Ademola Adeleke, asserting that he has been refraining from distributing the bags of rice provided by the Federal Government as part of palliative measures aimed at alleviating the impact of fuel subsidy removal on the local population.
The APC claims that Adeleke received the consignment of rice from the Federal Government a dozen days prior to Thursday’s date. The party expresses concerns over Adeleke’s decision to neither disclose nor distribute the received items, viewing this as a concerning strategy.
The party further alleges that five trailer-loads of rice, accompanied by other relief items donated by the Federal Government, were allocated to Osun State to support its residents during the fuel subsidy removal ordeal.
In a statement endorsed by the APC’s state Chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, the party questions the rationale behind Governor Adeleke’s hesitance to inform the citizens about the arrival of these federal government palliatives. The statement goes on to emphasize that the purpose of these provisions is to aid the populace promptly, rather than being concealed in an undisclosed warehouse.
The APC statement reads, “It is perplexing why Governor Adeleke is delaying the announcement and distribution of the federal government’s palliatives. Is Governor Adeleke waiting for the citizens to suffer from hunger before making the palliatives accessible to them?”
Lawal’s statement also appeals to all genuine stakeholders in Osun State to implore Governor Adeleke to promptly distribute the rice palliatives to those in need, emphasizing that the intention behind sending the provisions is to provide immediate relief, not to store them away.
The statement also raises concerns about rumors that Adeleke might be attempting to personalize the palliatives by labeling them with ‘Imole De Rice’, and asserts that any such actions will face lawful resistance.
Responding to these allegations, the state government, through a statement released by the Commissioner for Information and Public Engagement, Mr. Kolapo Alimi, dismisses the claims by the APC as mere propaganda. Alimi assures the public that the last batch of palliatives is still pending arrival and that distribution will commence once they are received.
Alimi’s statement clarifies, “The federal government approved a total of three thousand bags of rice palliatives for Osun State. We have received two thousand and four hundred bags so far out of the five trailers. We are waiting for the full supply to be completed before announcing and initiating distribution.”
The commissioner underscores that the government, led by Ademola Adeleke, remains committed to providing the palliatives to the citizens and urges everyone to disregard the APC’s allegations of hoarding.
Alimi concludes by reiterating the administration’s dedication to delivering the rice palliatives to the public as soon as the final tranche arrives, reassuring the people of Osun that their rightful share will not be withheld.
