Residents decry alleged diversion of Federal Govt ’s 20 truck rice
Some residents of Bauchi, Gombe and Dutse have expressed concern over alleged diversion of the Federal Government’s 20-truck rice palliative.
They also decried hoarding and hijacking of FG’s palliatives by government and ruling party officials in the states.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the federal government has allocated 20 trucks of rice and other packages to the 36 state governments as part of palliative measures to cushion the rising cost of living in country.
The FG’s palliative include food items, inputs and cash grants to the vulnerable as well as introduction of Compresed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles, to check hikes in transport fare and ease movement of goods and services.
A cross section of Nigerians who spoke in seperate interviews with NAN in Bauchi, Gombe and Dutse, alleged diversion of the FG’s palliative by the respective state governments.
In Dutse, the Jigawa capital, the residents accused political leaders for the diversion of palliative meant for the vulnerable and poor families.
Alhaji Muhammadu Hamza, accused the state officials saddled with the responsibilities of distributing the palliative only to their supporters.
“We did not received any item after symbolic distribution of the palliative by the government officials,” he said.
Malam Musa Ali and Hajiya Maimuna, also accused government officials of serious neglect in the management of the palliative, to cushion the hardship being experienced by the people.
“Our governor is a God fearing man, we knew that the problem is from fraudulent officials seeking to enrich themselves at the detriment of the vulnerable and poor families,” Hamza said.
Shuaibu Kafingana, the Chairman, Jigawa State Social Protection Platform (JISOP), lauded President Bola Tinubu and Gov. Umar Namadi for providing food assistance to 28,000 persons in the state.
He also expressed dismayed over the shortchanging of the vulnerable in the pallaitive distribution exercise.
He advocated for an open process to ensure transparency and equity in the palliative distribution exercise in the state.
“We want the palliative distribution to go beyond party supporters.
“The intervention by the federal and state governments is commendable.
“Each beneficiary received one bag of 25kg of rice, 12 pieces of pasta, one bag of 10kg of maize, orghum or millet,” Kafingana said.
In Bauchi State, the delays in the distribution of FG’s rice has sent tongues wagging among desparate residents expecting the food palliative to assuage their sufferings.
Malam Sani Muazu, a resident of Bauchi, said they had not received the rice allocated to the state by the federal government.
He said the delays in the distribution of the palliative worsen food crisis facing the vulnerable and poor households in the state.
Mu’azu urged the state government to begin distribution of the FG’s rice in earnest, to cushion the effect of the rising cost of living.
Corroborating Mu’azu; Mr Garba Jinjiri, the Chairman, Bauchi State Network of Civil Society Organizations (BASNEC), decried non engagement of civil society groups in the FG’s rice distribution committee.
“Initially, we were members of the distribution committee but now they removed us. So, I can’t say anything about the distribution exercise, they removed us and we don’t know anything about it.
“I know, there are 70 trucks of fertilisers that arrived Bauchi, and there are other trucks of commodities that arrived which I can’t ascertain and none of our members are inclusive in all these affairs.
“The state governor has a heart for the people, and he may not be aware of what is happening.
“He has a clear motive that every deserving person should get it but his lieutenants are not transparent.
“They removed us because we cannot see things and keep quiet. So, I can’t tell you anything about these materials now,” the Chairman said.
Commenting, a senior official of the Bauchi State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, who spoke under condition of anonymity, said the state was yet to receive its allocation of the FG’s rice.
According to the official, apart from the FG’s intervention, the state government has been distributing palliatives received from agencies and other donors.
“The state government is working tirelessly to ensure that when the rice is received, it will be distributed to the vulnerable as soon as possible,” the official said.
In the same vein; Mrs Audu Alheri and Musa Ahmed, resident of Gombe metropolis, alleged that the bags of rice donated by the federal government had not been distributed to them.
“The federal government has tried to reduce the hardship by donating rice but the state government denied receiving it.
“The question is where did other states get the rice they are sharing to the people, and if the federal government gave them, why will Gombe be left out?
“It is either the state government is hoarding or it doesn’t want to share the rice,” she alleged.
Also, Yusuf Ibrahim, Chairman, Gombe Network of Civil Society (GONET), said there were questions on transparency with regards to palliative procurement and distribution at all levels.
Ibrahim, however, commended the state government for the distribution of palliative to vulenarble persons, groups and organisations.
He further called for proactive measures to ensure that the process is transparent and accountable to the people.
Reacting, Ismaila Uba-Misilli, the Director-General, Press Affairs, Government House, Gombe, dismissed as “misleading” insinuations alleging diversion of FG’s rice in the state.
He said that apart from the FG’s rice, the Inuwa Yahaya administration had distributed assorted food items to 420,000 vulnerable persons in the state.
Uba-Misili stressed that the state government was not hoarding the palliative; adding that, “if we are hoarding you wouldn’t see these palliative being distributed.
“And you can see that it is clearly marked FG’s palliative, and so it is not that the state government is rebranding them.
“It has been distributed, and whatever we get from the federal government are being distributed accordingly.
“Whatever the federal government allocated to us, it has been distributed to the most vulnerable citizens including organisations, unions, associations and persons with disabilities in the state,” he said.
Uba-Misilli said that the state government during the Ramadan fast distributed food items to 420,000 beneficiaries, and still supporting households across the state.
“The last time the federal government gave rice to states was between February, March and April, and around that time, the Gombe state government did palliative distribution.
“And recently, the state government did another round of palliative distribution where 1,000 bags of rice; 1,000 cartons of pasta, and 1,000 bags of sorghum were given to each of the 11 local government councils.
“The rice is from the federal government while other items were either procured by the state government or donated by the North East Development Commission (NEDC),” he said.
(NAN)
She filed a fundamental rights and defamation suits against Natasha-Akpoti at the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, following sexual harassment claims against her husband.
In the suits, Anoma sought N250 billion as general damages.
Natasha-Akpoti had claimed that Akpabio was victimizing her in the Senate because she refused to sleep with him.
She recounted how the Senate President made several sexual overtures at her, even in the presence of her husband.
But, Anioma had dismissed her claims, saying she was lying and creating contents for her personal gains.
Addressing a press conference yesterday, Anioma threatened legal actions against Natasha.
The fundamental rights suit (Suit No: CV/814/25), was brought under Section 34(1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Article 4 & 5 of The African Charter on Human And Peoples Rights (Ratification And Enforcement Act) Cap. A9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Mrs. Akpabio sought the following, “A DECLARATION that the allegations made by the Respondent on the floor of the Senate on the 20th of February 2025 and subsequent scandalous and salacious allegations on Arise News TV by the Respondent, constitute a flagrant violation of the fundamental rights of the Applicant guaranteed under Section 34(1) (A) of The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended), Article 4 & 5 of The African Charter on Human And Peoples Rights (Ratification And Enforcement Act) Cap. A9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and Section 14 of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015.
“AN ORDER OF PERPETUAL INJUNCTION restraining the Respondent from making further inciteful, scandalous, and spiteful statements that have caused the Applicant and her children emotional and psychological abuse and living under constant threat and fear of their lives.
“AN ORDER OF PERPETUAL INJUNCTION restraining the Respondent, whether by themselves, their agents, privies, or whosoever from further inciteful, scandalous, and spiteful statements that have caused the Applicant and her children emotional and psychological abuse and living under constant threat and fear of their lives or in any other manner infringing on their fundamental rights.
“AN ORDER awarding the sum of N250,000,000,000.00 (Two Hundred and Fifty Billion Naira only) as exemplary, punitive, aggravated and general damages against the Respondent for her infringement of the fundamental rights of the Applicant alongside such further or other Orders as this Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstance.”
Additionally, in a separate defamation lawsuit (Suit No: CV/816/25), Mrs. Akpabio seeks: “A DECLARATION that the Defendant’s act of claiming on national television, that the Claimant’s husband, who is the President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria made sexual advances at her, without any proof of same, has damaged the reputation of the Claimant and indeed her entire family, bringing them into disrepute and opprobrium.
“AN ORDER OF THIS HONOURABLE COURT mandating the Defendant to issue a formal written retraction of the defamatory words and tender an unconditional apology to the Claimant and her family, to be published in 2 (two) nationally-read newspapers to wit: The Guardian and This Day Newspapers.
“AN ORDER OF THIS HONOURABLE COURT compelling the Defendant to pay to the Claimant the sum of N1,000,000,000.00 (One Billion Naira only) as punitive and exemplary damages for the ruinous effect of the Defendant’s defamatory words on the Claimant’s family’s reputation.
“AN ORDER OF PERPETUAL INJUNCTION restraining the Defendant from further uttering any defamatory words or causing to be uttered or spread, any defamatory words against the reputation of the Claimant’s family.”
News
Fasting commences as Sultan of Sokoto declares Saturday as 1st Ramadan 1446 AH
Fasting commences as Sultan of Sokoto declares Saturday as 1st Ramadan 1446 AH
Dr Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), has declared Saturday, March 1, 2025, as the first day of Ramadan 1446 AH in Nigeria.
The Sultan made the announcement in a nationwide radio and television broadcast on Friday, confirming the sighting of the new crescent of Ramadan in various parts of the country.
He stated that reports of the moon sighting were received from Muslim leaders and organisations across Nigeria.
“After due verification and authentication by the National Moon Sighting Committee, as well as confirmations from state committees, the new moon of Ramadan was officially recognised, marking the end of Sha’aban 1446 AH.
“In accordance with Islamic law, Muslims are to commence fasting on Saturday, March 1,” the Sultan declared.
He urged Muslim faithful to dedicate themselves to the worship of Allah (SWT) throughout the holy month and to use this period to pray for prevailing peace across the country and also pray for the leaders.
Additionally, the Sultan encouraged wealthy individuals to assist the less privileged, emphasising the importance of religious tolerance and unity among Nigerians.
He prayed to the Almighty to strengthen the leaders in their commitment to leading the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Fasting, one of the five pillars of Islam, refers to abstinent from eating, drinking, smoking and sexual intercourse from dawn to sunset with the intention of worshiping Almighty Allah.
NAN also reports that Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is a sacred period during which adult Muslims observe compulsory fasting from dawn to sunset for a complete month. (NAN)
News
Atiku tells President Tinubu how to handle sexual harassment allegations against Senate President
Atiku tells President Tinubu how to handle sexual harassment allegations against Senate President
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged President Bola Tinubu to ensure a thorough, impartial, and transparent investigation into the claims of sexual harassment, intimidation, and maltreatment made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
In a statement he personally signed on Friday, he said the allegations are grave and deserve to be investigated.
“Like millions of Nigerians, I watched with deep concern this morning as Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan raised serious allegations of sexual harassment, intimidation, and mistreatment against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
“These allegations are grave and deserve a thorough, impartial, and transparent investigation,” he stated.
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 elections affirmed that the Nigerian Senate represents the voice of the people.
“Those who serve in it — especially its leadership — must uphold the highest standards of integrity, dignity, and respect, both for their office and for the Nigerian citizens they serve,” he said.
Atiku noted that as the third most powerful figure in the country, the Senate President should embody unimpeachable character.
“Sexual harassment in the workplace is a significant barrier to women’s advancement and, by extension, the nation’s progress. Allegations of such misconduct should never be simply dismissed, particularly when they involve a public officer with immense power, influence, and responsibility.
“As the chief presiding officer of the Upper Chamber, the Senate President has a duty to champion the protection and empowerment of Nigerian women through legislation — not to be the subject of allegations that undermine those very principles,” Atiku stated.
He admonished that the handling of this matter will send a strong message about Nigeria’s commitment to justice, accountability, and the inclusion of women in governance.
“I urge the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Senate itself to take these allegations seriously by ensuring a credible, transparent, and independent investigation.
“With only four women currently serving in the Senate, it is imperative that we foster an environment where female legislators can serve without fear of harassment or intimidation.
“This moment demands careful and principled action to uphold the integrity of our institutions and ensure that every Nigerian, regardless of gender, is treated with dignity and respect,” Atiku concluded.