Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano State and leader of the New Nigeria Peoples’ Party (NNPP), has strongly criticized the Federal Government over its distribution of rice palliatives.
Kwankwaso, who has been in Kano State for the past week, expressed disappointment at the way the palliatives were distributed.
According to Kwankwaso, the Federal Government distributed rice to 35 states through their governors, but Kano State was treated differently.
Instead of receiving the rice directly, Kano’s share was given to members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to manage.
Kwankwaso called this move a “gross insult to our constitutional democracy” and accused the government of taking partisanship too far.
Kwankwaso’s statement comes at a time when there is increasing scrutiny of how resources are allocated and managed across the country.
He urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to put a stop to what he sees as a “naked derailment of democracy.”
In addition to the controversy over the rice distribution, Kwankwaso raised concerns about the security situation in Kano State.
The criticism from Kwankwaso comes amid ongoing efforts by the federal government to address economic hardships in Nigeria with the provision of food items as palliatives.
On Sunday, Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, officially launched the distribution of rice palliatives for the seven states in Northwestern Nigeria.
Jibrin led the Federal Government Committee responsible for the rice distribution.
He stated that the palliatives were meant to reach the most needy in Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Jigawa, and Zamfara States.
Jibrin emphasized that the distribution would be handled fairly, with representatives from various political parties involved to ensure equity and accountability.
“The President has done well by giving out palliatives,” Jibrin said.
“But the problem was that the palliative supports were not fairly distributed, which is why the President changed the strategy of distribution.”
Jibrin reassured the public that the distribution would be carried out in an equitable manner.
He mentioned that committees at the grassroots level would be involved in the process to ensure transparency.
During the same event, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, announced additional support for Kano State.
Kyari revealed that Kano would receive 19 trucks of 25kg rice for immediate distribution.
Moreover, Kano State is expected to get 70 trucks of subsidized rice from the federal government soon.
Kyari also highlighted previous support provided to Kano State, including 90 trucks of food items and 70 trucks of fertilizer.
Alhassan Ado Doguwa, the Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Downstream, praised President Tinubu for his interventions.
He assured the President of Kano’s continued support for his reelection bid in 2027.
The Federal Government’s approach to distributing palliatives and managing public resources has been a subject of debate.
