By Debo Alabi, Lokoja
A Senator from Kogi West district, Sunday Karimi, on Tuesday attempted to commence the distribution of eight trailer loads of bags of rice to his constituents, but the distribution formula has stalled the process.
The senator’s media team, in a short statement said the food items, came in addition to cash and other palliatives which are to be shared among 50 persons in each of the 85 electoral wards in the senatorial district. They constitute part of the end-of-the-year activities aimed at supporting families during the imminent yuletide.
Reports, however, indicate that the gesture has been greeted by rancour within the rulling All Progressives Congress (APC).
It was gathered that the lawmaker had directed that the food rations and cash gifts be distributed to beneficiaries across party lines and the masses in general. Some influential members of his party, however, have insisted on sharing the items solely among party loyalists. Consequently, the distribution, which was set to commence on Tuesday December 19, 2023, has temporarily been put on hold.
A source in the APC confirmed the development. According to the source, “some influential figures in the party are not comfortable with the plan to liberalise and extend the list of beneficiaries to people in the opposition. Their position is premised on the unsavory events during the recently held off-cycle gubernatorial election in the state. We have made our position known to the senator.”
Efforts to reach Senator Karimi by our reporter to hear his views on the matter has proved abortive, as he was not responding to calls and text messages. Another source close to the Senator said: “It is true that such issues have been raised where some members of the party are vehemently opposed to plans to share the items across the board. Over the years in his political journey, from his years in the House of Representatives, Senator Sunday Karimi has shown that he is a man of the people. He is a leader who does not believe in discrimination, segregation or winner-takes-all politics. Elections have come and gone. Senator Karimi was elected to represent and serve the entire people of Kogi West, irrespective of faith, culture or political affiliation. Members of the APC will not be sidelined even as efforts will be made to ensure fairness across board. I can tell you for free, that, from inception in June to date, stakeholders of the party across board have been duly carried along in all of the activities of the senator. But in this case, what the senator has said is that the rice and palliatives should not be meant for APC members alone. Majority of the items should be for the majority of the needy people who are worse hit by the unfavourable economic situation. This is the position of the senator and nothing will change that”.