Confusion Over Tinubu’s N57.8 Billion Rice Palliative for National Assembly Members
- The presidency, while showcasing Tinubu’s scorecard, revealed that federal lawmakers got N57.8 billion worth of food palliatives for their constituencies and senatorial districts
- While some lawmakers confirmed the receipt of the items approved by President Tinubu, others denied it
- This development has further generated controversy in the polity, with accusations of hoarding from constituents across the country
Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.
The approval of N57.8 billion worth of food palliatives for members of the National Assembly by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is generating controversy.
Source: Facebook
Daily Trust reports that some lawmakers confirmed receiving the palliatives, said to be worth N200 million for senators and N100 million for members of the House of Representatives, while others denied it.
On Sunday, January 7, the special adviser to the president on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, clarified that Tinubu did not directly provide cash to legislators but instead instructed the Ministry of Agriculture to supply the food items.
Investigations by Daily Trust revealed further that many lawmakers have received bags of rice from the ministry and have begun distribution to their constituents but the presidency noted that some legislators were yet to receive the items due to logistical challenges.
However, on Thursday, January 4, the Senate debunked claims that each of its members had started taking stock of the federal government’s palliative items for their constituents, Premium Times report added.
“Was it the minister that said that or the president because as for me I have not seen anything,” the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Yemi Adaramodu, said.
Ogun CDA chairman blasts Abiodun, Tinubu over palliative
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that a man who claimed to be the chairman of Shokeye Community Development Area (CDA) in Ogun state slammed Governor Dapo Abiodun over the distribution of palliatives in the state.
In a viral video, the chairman was seen with a branded bag, which, according to him, contained rice meant for the 147 households (families and tenants) in Shokeye Estate.
He urged Governor Abiodun not to force himself but to take back the palliative to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting they should match their words with action and not deceive the people.
Palliative: Sanusi speaks on Tinubu's cash transfer
Meanwhile, Muhammadu Sanusi, the former Emir of Kano and ex-governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), disclosed that the only way to a long-term solution to remove the fuel subsidy completely was through the reduced dependence on petrol.
The economist commended President Bola Tinubu for introducing the conditional cash transfer to cushion the effect of removing the fuel subsidy.
Sanusi reportedly commented on the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs' distinguished lecture series in Lagos on Thursday, October 19.
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Source: Legit.ng
