The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has called out the state governor, Ademola Adeleke, over refusal to distribute the items disbursed by the Federal Government as palliatives to reduce the effects of fuel subsidy removal on Nigerians.
According to APC Osun state Chapter, in a statement signed by the party state Chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, the state received the consignment from the FG Twelve days before Thursday, adding that the Adeleke is hoarding the items.
The party also noted that five trailers-loads of rice with other items were sent to Osun state to help cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal.
The statement reads, “I can’t fathom the reason why Governor Adeleke is finding it difficult to announce the arrival of the federal government palliatives to the state and also why it has been pretty difficult to distribute same. Is Governor Adeleke waiting for the people of the state to die of hunger before he deems it fit to make the palliatives available to serve its purpose at the right time?
“All genuine stakeholders in the Osun State project should plead with Adeleke to release the rice palliatives sent to the state by the Federal Government to get to the needy on time as the purpose for sending it down is not to be locked up in a hidden warehouse in the state.
“The diversion of the rice palliatives by the state government as it is being touted by some concerned discerning minds in the state would have a debilitating effect on the image of the reigning state government. Again, if the news spreading like a wild fire across the state that Adeleke is trying to play a fast one on the palliatives from Abuja by inscribing ‘Imole De Rice’ on it is anything to go by, it shall be resisted by all legal means.”
However, the Adeleke responded to this allegations through a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Public engagement, Kolapo Alimi, noting that the last batch of palliative was still being expected before they can go ahead with distribution.
Alimi, urged the people of Osun state to disregard claims of APC leaders adding that Adeleke will never deprive them of what the FG has leased out to them.
The statement reads, “Federal government approved a total of three thousand bags of rice palliatives to Osun state. Six hundred bags were loaded per each truck and disbursed through four trailers: making two thousand and four hundred received so far. Out of the five trailers of bags of rice palliative to the state, we are waiting for the completion of the palliative supply before the announcement and distribution.
“Cushioning the effect of the subsidy is a necessity, our government will not withhold what belongs to the citizenry from them.
“We assure the good people of Osun that the government of Ademola Adeleke will not deny them of the rice palliatives, and we urge all to disregard the propaganda of the APC. This government is a responsible one, we are not hoarding the rice palliatives but waiting for the supply to be completed by the agency of the federal government before we commence distribution.
“Osun people know that the Adeleke family even before being elected into office has always shared thousands of bags of rice to the populace during an emergency. Now in Government, this administration can never and will never divert 2hat belongs to the people,” Alimi stated.
