The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned the donation of 100 vehicles to the State Police Command by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The party described the action as a “gross misplacement of priority”.
They insisted that the governor’s action is in contrast with the current reality of the economy.
Speaking via a statement signed by the Chairman of the APC’s Caretaker Committee in Rivers State, Tony Okocha, the party expressed outrage that the governor would prioritize vehicle donations to the police while residents struggle with “excruciating hunger”.
The APC chairman argued that Fubara’s actions do not align with other state governors who are implementing projects to alleviate hunger and promote food security.
Okocha cited examples of states like Niger, Akwa/Ibom, Taraba, and Lagos, where governors are providing tractors and farm implements to farmers, as well as distributing food items to citizens in need.
Okocha’s statement reads in part: “It is absurd that Governor Fubara would prioritize vehicle donations to the police while our people are suffering from hunger.
“In these States and more, Tractors and farm implements are gifted to Farmers to enhance Agricultural production and the provision of food sufficiency and security.
“Food items are bought in several mind blowing thousands in Trailers and gifted to citizens, to alleviate and ameliorate hunger.
“Unfortunately, in Rivers State, a clueless administrator chooses to donate ‘confirmed 7th hand rickety vehicles’ to the Rivers State Police Command. A hundred pieces they claim.
“Only yesterday, a day after the vehicles were donated by a Governor, who is in the voyage of currying support and favour from any tse-tse fly that he identifies.”
Okocha questioned the rationale behind the donation, asking: “What is the relevance of this donation to the hunger experienced by Rivers State people? What is the connection between police vehicles and empty stomachs?”
He also queried whether the Police Command had been removed from the Exclusive List, which makes the Federal Government solely responsible for its funding, management, and recruitment.