Gombe State Emergency Management Agency Denies Political Considerations in Palliatives Distribution

The Gombe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has refuted claims that the distribution of palliatives in the state was politically biased. The executive secretary of SEMA, Abdullahi Abdullahi, assured that the palliatives were allocated to the most vulnerable individuals without any regard for political affiliation. The allegations arose as some residents claimed that only members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state benefited from the palliatives.

Hajia Halima Musa, a resident of Hayin Dogo in Nasarawo community, expressed her dissatisfaction with the distribution process, stating that only APC members in their ward received the palliatives. She emphasized that the fuel subsidy removal affected individuals from all political backgrounds and questioned why the assistance was limited to APC members.

Similarly, Ms Rebecca John highlighted that meetings were held exclusively by APC members in their ward prior to the distribution. She expressed disappointment that the palliatives were not distributed according to Governor Inuwa Yahaya's directive, which emphasized the inclusion of the most vulnerable individuals, regardless of their political affiliations.

An anonymous member of the Labour Party (LP) in Billiri community also raised concerns about the disproportionate distribution of palliatives in their area. They argued that the assistance should benefit all residents of the state, irrespective of party affiliation.

In response to these allegations, Abdullahi clarified that the palliatives were intended for all Gombe state residents and were distributed fairly. He emphasized that the selection process was conducted randomly at the polling unit level, with the aim of targeting the most vulnerable individuals across the state.

"It is not true that only APC members are the ones that benefitted from the palliatives that were shared across the state. The palliatives were meant for Gombe state people," stated Abdullahi. He explained that since the distribution was limited to ten persons per polling unit, not every individual could receive the assistance.

Abdullahi further explained that the selection criteria for distribution were based on vulnerability rather than political affiliation. He dismissed claims that APC executives were involved in the distribution process, stating that he had not received any official complaints regarding such allegations.

While acknowledging that some individuals may feel left out if they did not receive the palliatives, Abdullahi assured the public that the forthcoming Federal Government's palliatives would reach a larger number of beneficiaries. The target for the Federal Government's assistance is set at 420,000 individuals in the state.

Gombe state residents eagerly await the distribution of the Federal Government's palliatives, hoping for a more inclusive process that reflects the needs of all vulnerable individuals, regardless of their political leanings.

Source of content: OOO News 2023-08-28 News

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