The distribution of palliatives in Gombe State has been marred by allegations of political favoritism, as claims of distribution based on party affiliation surface. The state government, through the Gombe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), denies these allegations, stating that the palliatives were meant for all residents of the state, regardless of party affiliation. The issue has raised concerns of tension and a potential divide between the people and the government.
The distribution of palliatives by the Gombe State government has sparked controversy as accusations of political considerations emerge. The Gombe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) denies these allegations and assures the public that the palliatives were allocated without any bias towards political affiliation.
Residents of Gombe State have expressed their discontent with the distribution process, claiming that the palliatives were only given to members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the ruling party in the state. They argue that this selective distribution goes against the directive of the state Governor, Inuwa Yahaya, who emphasized the need to prioritize the most vulnerable.
Hajia Halima Musa, a resident of Hayin Dogo in Nasarawa community, highlights the exclusivity of the distribution by stating, "APC executives in our ward anchored the distribution, and only their party members were considered. This is unfair and unjust."
Similar sentiments are echoed by Ms Rebecca John, who claims that the distribution methods were pre-planned by APC members in her ward, leading to the exclusion of non-APC members. She questions why the fuel subsidy removal should only impact APC members and why the palliatives were not distributed inclusively as directed by the governor.
These concerns are not limited to residents aligned with opposition parties. Even some members of the ruling party, such as an anonymous member of the Labour Party (LP) in Billiri community, express dissatisfaction with the distribution process. They emphasize that the palliatives belong to the state and should not serve as a tool for political gain.
In response, Mr Abdullahi Abdullahi, the Executive Secretary of SEMA, clarifies that the palliatives were intended for all residents of Gombe State, irrespective of their party affiliation. He refutes claims of political bias and assures the public that the distribution was fair.
Abdullahi explains, "The palliatives were meant for Gombe state people, and since it is 10 persons per polling unit, it is clear that not everyone will receive palliatives. The selection of beneficiaries was done randomly at polling units, ensuring fairness in the process."
While the SEMA chairman denies any reports of APC executives controlling the distribution, he acknowledges that some individuals may be dissatisfied if they did not receive palliatives. However, he reassures the public that once the Federal Government's palliatives arrive, more people will be covered, as the target is to reach 420,000 beneficiaries in total.
The distribution controversy highlights a potential challenge in ensuring inclusivity and transparency when it comes to the provision of essential goods during a crisis. It is crucial for government agencies to prioritize the needs of the most vulnerable, regardless of their political affiliations, to avoid further tensions and foster unity among the people.
Source of content: OOO News 2023-08-28 News
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