EDO STATE: Ismail Abdulazeez Mantu Reporting
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State has leveled serious accusations against the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), alleging the misappropriation of Federal Government food palliatives and misleading the public.
The claims come amidst the backdrop of the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protests that have seen thousands of Edo residents taking to the streets.
A viral video recently emerged, depicting individuals looting 10 kg bags of rice from a truck during the protests. This footage has fueled controversy and finger-pointing between the APC and CAN.
The Chairman of CAN in Edo State, Apostle Dr. Irekpono Omoike, has responded to these allegations by clarifying that the rice in the video was intended for distribution through a vendor contracted by the Edo State CAN Implementation Committee.
According to him, this distribution was part of the state-sponsored Christian Feeding Programme, and not linked to Federal Government palliatives.
“The rice being scrambled for in the video was part of the second phase of the State Government-sponsored Christian Feeding Programme,” Apostle Omoike stated during a press conference at the Chancellery of the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin.
He detailed that 60,000 bags of rice had been distributed in the first phase, with allocations spread across the state’s three senatorial districts.
The bags in question were part of the subsequent batch, he added.
However, the APC’s Edo State chapter has dismissed these explanations.
The party insists that the rice was from Federal Government supplies meant for public distribution, accusing CAN and the State Government of collusion to withhold and misappropriate these resources.
Revd. Osagie Ehrunmwunse, Secretary of the CAN Implementation Committee for the Christian Feeding Programme, provided additional context, explaining that the truck shown in the video belonged to a logistics company tasked with transporting the rice from Ekpoma.
Due to a breakdown and subsequent delay, the rice was moved for safekeeping before being intercepted by looters.
Amidst these accusations, the protests in Edo State continue with relative calm.
Demonstrators have been gathering daily at the Ring Road Roundabout in Benin City, holding placards with slogans such as “Tinubu reduce the hunger,” “APC stop suffering us,” and “Say No To High Fuel Price.” State Commissioner of Police Funsho Adegboye has been seen engaging with the protesters, urging them to maintain peace and order.