Covid-19 Pandemic which is one of the biggest emergencies in recent times has continued to cripple economies and virtually all areas of human endeavour.
To avoid the spread of the disease, many countries have either been in total or partial lockdown, with Nigeria, not an exception.
In the lockdown, both the federal and state government, introduced a lot of economic stimulus package to cushion the effects of the shutdown of economic activities.
While the different levels of government struggled with palliatives, that will cater for millions of Nigerians, corporate and religious organizations and individuals intervened, providing food items, medical equipment, and other relief materials.
In Anambra State, the story was not different as individuals, politicians and churches provided palliative packages for the populace, to complement the efforts of the state government.
For some private individuals, they used the palliative to show “Capacity” while some politicians used it as an opportunity to show their “Political Relevance” in furtherance of “Electoral Fortune”.
On Saturday 2nd, May 2020, the Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District, Senator Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, in what he described as the Mother of all Palliatives, commenced the distribution of palliatives to the good people of Anambra across the 21 Local Government Areas in the state.
At his palatial residence in Umuanuka Otolo, Nnewi, though in his absence, different relief materials were distributed. Instead of applause, the distribution of the palliatives raised a lot of integrity questions on the person of, Ifeanyi Ubah.
The Controversy
1. Inflated figures – According to a press release signed by Senator Ubah, the following were distributed;
26,000 bags of 5kg rice, 11,200 bags of 5kg garri, 9,400 cartons of tummy noodles, 6,000 bottles of cooking oil, 32,000 bottles of hand sanitizers, 65,000 disposable face masks, 8,000 washable face masks, 2,000 bags of 25kg garri, 500 bags of 25kg rice, 42 thermometers and 62 tricycles.
Interestingly, the 26000 bags of 5kg rice donated by the Senator equals 520 bags of 50 kg rice (Normal bags of rice) and 500 25kg rice, that’s 250 bags. That means In total, it is 770 bags of rice to the whole 21 LGA of Anambra State.
What this means is that Ifeanyi Ubah donated 4 bags of rice to each community in Anambra State.
We have 181 communities, he donated 770 bags of rice to 21 LGA which means 181 communities. Each Community to get 4 bags of rice. And each Local Government getting 36bags of rice.
Ibeto alone donated more than that to just Nnewi Community.
While it is important we appreciate our Senator for these palliatives, the obvious truth remains that the figures were over-inflated. If the pictures don’t tell the story, those on the ground during the distribution can attest to the fact the none of the items listed above met the required numbers being brandished online.
2. Beneficiaries: While Senator Ubah has the right to distribute palliatives to whosoever he wants, it is a great disservice to the people for him to come in the media to peddle lies and deceit. The palliative which he claimed was being distributed to families across Anambra State, was distributed to his registered supporters in his different support groups.
The leadership of Ifeanyi Ubah Solidarity Movement (IUSM), Afa Igbo Efuna Political Movement, Active Voters Solidarity for Ifeanyi Ubah, weeks before the distribution of the palliatives, submitted lists of the names of their members across the 21 Local Government Areas in Anambra State, the relief items were targeted to reach them not to those who are indifferent or in another divide.
3. Constituency Projects: It is a public knowledge that the tricycles which were shared were part of the Constituency Project of 2019, which was initiated by the Former Senator representing Anambra South, Senator Dr. Andy Uba. In the budget, Andy Ubah budgeted N121M for the supply of 100 tricycles, meaning N1.21 million was budgeted for each of the tricycles, this was inherited by Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah.
Does it mean Senator Ifeanyi Ubah is using Constituency projects to service his different political structures in the name palliatives?
4. Constituency Spread: Senator Uche Ekwunife (Anambra Central) and Senator Stella Oduah (Anambra North), have all distributed palliatives worth millions of Naira in their different Senatorial Districts, one will ask why that of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, will be different. Many families are finding it difficult to feed in his constituency but it appears he considers, political relevance to serious efforts in alleviating the plights of his constituents.
No doubt, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, has gubernatorial ambitions but trying to the latch onto every opportunity to prove his credibility is tragic and shameful. His counterpart, Senator Uche Ekwunife, who is also in the race and is already favoured to pick the ticket of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) concentrated the distribution of her own palliatives to his primary constituency, Anambra Central.
5. Salaries Issues: Thousands of workers in Capital Oil and Gas, a company owned by Ifeanyi Ubah, are still being owed salaries, in the last two (2) years. Even those in Authority newspapers are yet to receive their salaries in the last eight months.
In all fairness to Ifeanyi Ubah, why keep your workers hungry while showing off in public?
6. Covid-19 funds drive: Senator Ifeanyi Ubah in the name of mobilization of resources from wealthy indigenes, has raised about N120M to build an Isolation center in Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, it is being speculated that the money raised was used to purchase most of the relief materials.
Timothy Okwumuo writes from Abuja
Post Disclaimer
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author and forum participants on this website do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Anaedo Online or official policies of the Anaedo Online.