APC, Youth Group Fault Appointment Of Palliatives Committee Head In Rivers

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State and the South South Youth Initiative (SSYI) have faulted the appointment of chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, as chairman of the Subsidy Palliative Committee in the state.

The two groups, in two separate statements made available to LEADERSHIP Sunday in Port Harcourt, said with the appointment of Akawor, there is no way political partisanship and patronage would not be brought in the distribution of the palliatives meant for the poorest of the poor in the state.

The APC, in a statement signed by its publicity secretary, Darlington Nwauju said, “We condemn in totality the insensitivity of Gov Siminialayi Fubara in appointing the PDP State chairman to chair the state’s Subsidy Palliative Committee as this amounts to insulting the sensitivity of millions of poor Rivers people who have found themselves impoverished by the last eight years of anti-people policies forced down their throats by an unpopular and vindictive PDP administration.

“We recall with regrets, the highhanded, politicised and nepotic handling of COVID-19 pandemic palliatives in the state in 2020 with the failure of the immediate past administration to account for billions of naira worth of cash and material donations received from corporate organisations operating in Rivers State.

“We see the appointment of the PDP state chairman as chair of the state’s Palliative Committee as an attempt to repeat same corrupt and anti-people styled policy direction.”

On its part, the SSYI, in a statement by its national president, Imeabe Saviour Oscar said, “We are worried that in spite the trust that the Governor Siminialayi Fubara would represent conscience and understanding, he has resumed the political rascality that our politicians are known for.

“We condemn in totality the appointment of the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Amb Desmond Akawor, to chair the Palliative Sharing Committee set up by the state government to share the N2 billion and the 16,000 bags of rice released for the poorest of the poor in the state.

“From the outline of the federal government, it is clear that the palliative is far away from politics, so we wonder the reason the governor of Rivers State would play around known politicians in the state in the process of making these palliatives available to the right people.

“The appointment of Desmond Akawor is not welcomed in the state because it will breach the principle of fair play. Akawor is the chairman of PDP. There is no way he will not bring party into this mandate given to him; there is no way Akawor will perform beyond party affinity.”