By Suleiman Anyalewechi, Aba
An International Non-Governmental Organization, NGO, Rural Community Development Outreach (RCDO) has raised the alarm over a brewing plot by some entrenched political vampires across the country to cajole and browbeat state Governors into presenting the recently approved N5billion naira subsidy palliatives for embezzlement, noting that there is a looming threat to an equitable distribution of the funds.
In a press statement issued in Kano on Sunday August 20, 2023 signed by its Nigerian Coordinator Ikenna Ellis Ezenekwe and made available to NewsCritic online RCDO said it has credible intelligence reports from no few than 10 States where the state authorities are under severe pressure from some forces to misappropriate the funds, a development which will undermine the very essence of releasing the fund.
“Intelligence at our disposal reveals a worrisome pattern where career political actors are leveraging their influence to arm twist state governors into parting with the palliatives funds.
Those who however have summoned enough courage to resist the embezzlement plots are currently being subjected to threats, blackmail and intimidations using some foreign based media outlets, “RCDO lamented.
According to the Civil Society group, some states which have commenced commendable moves towards using the N5billion palliatives to fast-track some developmental, and people oriented programmes such as Anambra, Bauchi, Borno and Adamawa have fallen into the bad books of godfathers, and their cronies who instead will prefer the funds to be shared as usual.
“The above-mentioned states and some others have mulled policies aimed at channelling the N5billion into boosting Agricultural and Infrastructural facilities.
“Regrettably, these conscientious and patriotic efforts are presently being met with orchestrated political resistance.
“A group of power wielding politicians, whose track records reveal an ignoble history of exploiting Nigeria’s resources for personal gains now stand on the way of progress.
“We urgently call for an end to these backroom power plays with over 133 million Nigerians already languishing below the poverty line, there is no more room for some self-serving politicians to interrupt the march towards inclusive development.
“The unjust attacks recently on Governors of Anambra and Bauchi States by some political actors are examples of such orchestrated plots to frustrate efforts at applying the palliatives funds judiciously, and in the overall interests of the masses. The primary target of the palliatives is the people, who are feeling more of the pains resulting from the removal of fuel subsidy.
The suffering citizens of Nigeria must rise against the continued mismanagement of their commonwealth by a few political entities” RCDO noted.
