Osogbo, Osun State, February 17, 2024 – The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has raised allegations against the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), accusing them of misappropriating rice donated to the state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
In a statement signed by the APC Chairman in the state, Tajudeen Lawal, the party claimed that President Bola Tinubu had sent 1,250 bags of rice to CAN for Christmas and New Year festivities.
According to Lawal, the APC alleged that the consignment, meant for the Osun CAN, was delivered by the state government but misappropriated by those entrusted with its distribution.
“It is a great height of insensitivity and callousness for Governor Adeleke to have diverted the 1,250 bags of rice, particularly gifted to the state chapter of CAN by the Presidency,” Lawal stated.
The APC demanded that Governor Adeleke investigate the matter, return the rice to its rightful recipients, and issue an apology if necessary.
“We won’t back down as a party until the issue of the stolen rice belonging to the Osun CAN is resolved in favour of the rightful owners,” Lawal emphasised.
In response, the Osun State Government, through the Commissioner of Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, denied receiving any rice from the Federal Government for CAN.
Alimi labelled the allegations as false and unfounded, stressing that the Federal Government had not sent any rice palliatives to the state since the batch was distributed last year.
“The committee that shared the last rice package had the CAN Chairman and others as members, and there is no way any consignment will reach the state without the committee being informed and engaged in the distribution,” Alimi clarified.
The government challenged the APC to provide evidence to substantiate its claims and urged the public to disregard the accusations, reaffirming its commitment to accountability and transparency in governance.
