President Tinubu, Uzodimma’s Christians/ Muslims Palliatives Will Spark Crisis In the Region.. Clergy
Chigozie Marquis
There’s been an initiative to distribute Ramadan rice and money to both Christians and Muslims communities across the South East and South South regions of Nigeria.
This effort aims to alleviate hardship during the fasting season, particularly in the face of rising food prices, with a bag of rice costing over ₦90,000.
The program involves the distribution of ₦5 million each to Christian and Muslim communities in 11 states, including Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, and Rivers. Each state received at least two trailer loads of rice, providing vital support to both communities.
However, there are concerns about the distribution process, with some pastors allegedly fighting over the sharing formula.
Additionally, there’s discontent among Imo State residents regarding Governor Hope Uzodimma’s role in distributing palliatives, which some see as an errand boy task for President Bola Tinubu.
Against this back drop, the high level of abject poverty and hunger ravaging the State is unbearable as many family’s couldn’t get a three square meal and civil servant were asked to pay 40, 000 for Twenty five kg rich for the 2024 Christmas and New Year government largesse till date.
Still yet, nothing has improved as the palliatives is only a hunger striking assignment meant to disorganize both the Christians and Muslim faithfuls as the Rice and Money has no sharing formula only an avenue to spark and incite religious crisis in the churches and mosques but can’t be rejected as some State are planning to take theirs to the mother less baby home and Correctional Centers.
Speaking, some members of the clergy at the Ndubuisi Kalu square Owerri, Imo State, described the palliatives as a ruse said that the number is too small for the entire Christians and Muslims communities.
“This Rice and Money is only a Greek gift, if not well handle will destroy the two Faith based religious group in the region and the country at large, This little consignment if not handle with care will cause sentiments and incite the Church and Muslim leaders into serious crisis with the members”.
They called on the President Bola Tinubu to transform the country instead of sharing Rice and Money while thanking the Imo State governor Senator Hope Uzodimma for his magnanimity and fatherly role throughout the period of the palliatives sharing in Owerri Imo State.