Ben Ezechime, Enugu
Senator Okechukwu Ezea, representing, Enugu North Senatorial district has debunked claims that the Rice he distributed to his constituents during the Yuletide was from the Federal Government.
In statement obtained by Ikengaonline signed by Mr Shepherdman Ayogu, Ezea described the raging controversy about the palliative rice as non-existent.
The statement reads: ‘”The attention of Distinguished Senator Okey Ezea’s Media Office has been drawn to a controversy over some false publications making rounds in some sections of the social media alleging that federal law makers, including Distinguished Senator Ezea, diverted some trucks of rice meant for their respective constituencies to other destinations.
“We are aware that the National Assembly leadership has issued a statement in that regard refuting the false social media reports. Ordinarily, the clarifications offered by the National Assembly leadership should have sufficed, especially given that the Distinguished Senator Okey Ezea is an integral part of the national parliament and as such could not have received any form of palliative to the exclusion of his colleagues.
“However, given the recent traction the false narrative is gaining in some quarters, which obviously is the handiwork of some defeated politicians in the Zone, this statement becomes necessary in order to ensure that the unsuspecting members of our Constituency do not fall for the antics of these undesirable elements.
“That said, the position as it stands today is that Distinguished Senator Okey Ezea has not received any material palliative, whether monetary or food item, from the Federal Government of Nigeria for the good people of Enugu North Senatorial District.
“If and when he receives such palliative for the Zone, he will, in line with his avowed principle of equity and fairness, which is the motivation for which he aspired to represent the Zone at the floor of the Senate, share such palliative in a very transparent manner.
“Meanwhile, Distinguished Senator Okey Ezea, in recognising the enormity of the current hardship confronting our people, ensured that bags of rice were distributed in the new year to all the 102 wards that make up the Enugu North Senatorial District and we are also aware that the distribution exercise has been concluded at the local governments level while sharing of same is currently being carried out at the ward levels.
“While urging the good people of Enugu North Senatorial District to remain vigilant against the evil machinations of rejected politicians who are hell bent on reinforcing their failures, Distinguished Senator Okey Ezea enjoins the Zone to disregard the false narrative as pertains to the non-existent rice palliative, especially given that it is a product of the imagination of the makers.”
Ikengaonline reports that there have been reports in the social media alleging that the members of National Assembly have diverted trailer loads of rice given to them as palliatives to their constituents for Christmas and New year.
