The All Progressives Congress, APC in Osun State has challenged the ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the state to account for the rice sent to the state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN.
The Osun APC, in a statement signed by its chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, alleged that 1,250 bags of rice were sent by President Bola Tinubu to CAN for Christmas and New Year festivities.
According to the statement obtained by OsunDailyNG on Sunday, the party alleged that the consignment of the 1,250 presidential bags of rice meant for the Osun CAN was delivered by the state government but misappropriated by those saddled with the responsibility to do justice in that regard.
Lawal added that it was 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.
“If the rice issue came about as a mix-up by the government functionaries, it is never too late for Governor Adeleke to investigate the matter, return the rice to the rightful owners and tender unreserved apologies.
“It was strange that the government which is supposed to be empowering the men of God is the same entity which is depriving them of their entitlements sent to them by the Federal Government.
“If Governor Adeleke did not consider it worthy to take care of the men of God during Christmas and New Year festivities, what right had he to rob them of their entitlements which were only sent through him?
“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 as we won’t on the previous 17,000 bags of 50kg rice and 8,000 bags of maize donated to Osun state by the Federal Government but which the same Adeleke hoarded, looted and diverted to create perception problems for the APC federal government.
“Why is it that it is only in Osun State in the southwest that CAN was deprived of its rice meant for the festivities?
Meanwhile, the Osun State Government has denied receiving any bags of rice from the Federal Government for the association.
In a statement issued by the State Commissioner of Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the state government described the allegations as false without any foundation in truth.
The government insisted that the Federal Government has not sent any rice palliatives to the state since the batch sent last year which was shared to the public through a committee of public associations and groups.
“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, ” the Commissioner noted.
The government challenged the APC to substantiate its allegation.
“We further call on members of the public to ignore the purveyors of such lies as this administration is committed to accountability and transparency in state governance.”
