The Bayelsa State government and the local chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are engaged in a heated exchange regarding accusations of misappropriation of federal flood relief supplies.
During a press briefing yesterday, Bayelsa’s Commissioner for Information, Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, accused APC members of commandeering additional relief items sent by the federal government. She revealed that the state had only received a meager quantity of supplies, which included 2,000 bags of rice, 150 cartons of spaghetti, 1,000 mosquito nets, and other essential goods.
“We were informed that more items were delivered to the state but were distributed among APC stakeholders,” Koku-Obiyai claimed. She went on to assure the public that the state government intends to distribute its own relief items shortly, urging residents to remain calm despite the limited federal supplies.
In retaliation, Bayelsa APC Assistant Publicity Secretary, Mr. Tamaratare Otis, dismissed Koku-Obiyai’s allegations as “frivolous and reckless.” He challenged her to identify the supposed beneficiaries of the relief items or issue a public apology for what he called misleading statements.
Otis further accused the Bayelsa government of hoarding federal relief items in the past to favor party loyalists, particularly during election periods. He insisted that the federal government distributes relief materials to state governments impartially, without political bias.
