Osun PDP, APC Clash OVer Allocation Of Federal Palliative

The ongoing challenge on the implimentation of the Federal Government palliative given to Osun State after the remover of fuel subsidy has taken another shape as Osun State Government and the State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) exchanging accusations regarding the distribution of palliative rice.

It could be recalled that Osun and other states of the federation received palliative from the Federal Government to mitigate the impact of fuel subsidy removal on the state’s residents.

However, a statement issued by the APC chairman, Mr. Tajudeen Lawal, challenged Governor Ademola Adeleke to reveal the whereabouts of 1,250 bags of rice allegedly sent by President Bola Tinubu to the state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for the Christmas and New Year festivities.

The APC claimed that the rice, intended for Osun CAN, was delivered to the state government but misappropriated by officials.

The APC statement expressed determination to address the issue and questioned the diversion of 17,000 bags of 50kg rice and 8,000 bags of maize donated by the Federal Government to Osun State, which they allege Adeleke diverted to create perception problems for the APC-led Federal Government, asking why Osun State was the only state in the southwest where CAN was reportedly deprived of its rice meant for the festivities.

While responding, the state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, dismissed the allegations and denied that the state received rice from the Federal Government for distribution to the state chapter of CAN, labeling the report as false and lacking any foundation in truth.

Alimi stated further that the last batch of rice sent by the Federal Government last year was distributed through a committee of public associations and groups, which included the CAN chairman, adding that there was no way any consignment could reach the state without the committee being informed and involved in the distribution process.

He however, challenged APC members spreading the information to substantiate their claims and cautioned broadcast organizations against providing platforms for disseminating fake news, urging the public to ignore false information.