Palliatives distribution: Residents ‘bomb’ Fintri
…Allege fraud in rebranding foodstuff with his photograph inscriptions
…Accuse him of vendetta
…’Opposition parties’ supporters totally starved’
…Mum’s the word from State govt
By Tom Garba
Governor Ahmadu Fintri of Adamawa State has come under fire from many residents of the state over what they described as his fraudulent, selfish and unstatesman-like distribution of Federal Government (FG)’s food palliatives meant for all vulnerable residents of the state.
It would be recalled that FG sent out 100 trucks filled with rice,grains and other foodstuff to each of the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in addition to the sum of N5billion, each too, as part of palliatives to try to stem hardship arising from the fuel subsidy removal.
But, residents of Adamawa have cried foul, alleging that Gov. Fintri rebranded the foodstuff intervention with his photo inscription and assigned Local Government Area (LGA) councilors to share to already handpicked persons who are largely supporters/sympathisers of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The residents claimed this gesture flagrantly violated the principles of equity and fairness.
Chairman of Adamawa Concerned Citizens Association (ACCA). Mr. Hussaini Gambo, made these claims while speaking to The Daily Times in Yola,the state capital.
He accused Fintiri of selective treatment in disbursement of the palliatives sent for people of the state.
Gambo, who is widely acclaimed in the state as an advocate of the masses, further alleged that lawmakers elected on the platform of the main opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state House of Assembly,though major stakeholders in their respective constituencies, were fenced off and excluded from membership of the Governor’s palliatives distribution committee.
The ACCA leader said the governor’s action will prevent many from benefiting from the FG’s gesture.
According to him, the “deliberate action to sideline the APC lawmakers was a clear indication that the palliative is only going to be shared among the members of the PDP ruling party in the state.”
Gambo reminded the Governor that his administration is not only for PDP members, saying that thousands of APC members voted for his second term bid during the last governorship election.
He called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the Adamawa palliative issue as,to him, Gov. Fintiri was out to sideline APC members.
Firing more salvos at the governor, Gambo accused him of vendetta, alleging that he “only wants a particular class of people to enrich themselves over the palliative that is meant for everyone.”
Gambo said: “Sir, intervene on the palliative you gave for everyone in Adamawa, else APC loyalists will never get anything as Governor Fintiri is clearly showing out his color to give only his political pundits.
“All the committees formed in charge of the distribution, there is no APC stakeholder included, even our elective office-holders like the state House of Assembly lawmakers, have been excluded from being in the committee.
“How can there be equal distribution? The so-called councillors in charge of the distribution at ward levels are all PDP elected. None of them is from the APC or any political party. Something urgent has to be done.”
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Efforts to reach the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Governor, Mr Humawashi Wonosikou, to comment proved abortive as calls made to his phone number were not responded to.
Our reporter followed up with a visit to his office in Government House,Yola, but was told by his secretary that he was not on seat.
