All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State has accused the state government of diverting the federal government’s rice allocated to the state, citing the viral video that emerged on Thursday where an abandoned trailer load of rice was discovered by residents of Urora community.

In a press conference addressed by the state chairman of the APC Emperor Jarrett Tenebe yesterday,  he said the diversion of palliatives was responsible for hunger in the state.

He said, “The leadership and members of the All Progressives Congress in Edo State have noticed with concern the unfortunate plan by Governor Godwin Obaseki and his faction of the Peoples Democratic Party to frustrate the genuine efforts of the federal government to considerably reduce the impact of economic hardship on Nigerians, especially here in Edo State.

“Yesterday, Edo people watched Obaseki in disbelief during his hurriedly put together state broadcast, how he refused to acknowledge or give account of the various financial grants and other palliatives his administration has received from the federal government.

“Last month, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) handed over 786.6 metric tonnes made up of 17,424 bags of assorted grains to the Edo State government as part of palliative measures to cushion the adverse effects of the removal of fuel subsidy by the federal government on the people of the State, but Obaseki has refused to share them.

The federal government confirmed that the 36 states, including Edo have received 20 trucks of rice, yet Obaseki has failed to account for them.”

Responding, the state government said it does not keep relief materials in its warehouses, as the government’s feeding programme for vulnerable persons in the state was being implemented through religious bodies.

In a  statement, the commissioner for communication and orientation, Hon. Chris Nehikhare, said the video emanating from the Urora axis of Ikpoba Hill, Benin City was the handiwork of the APC in a desperate attempt to score cheap political points.

He said, “The government supports the vulnerable with relief materials through religious organisations particularly the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria and the Muslim leaders in the state.

“The state government does not keep any relief material by itself but reaches out to the people through these channels.”