Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State has placed his photograph on bags of rice distributed as part of the ongoing palliative efforts in his state, News About Nigeria reports.
The decision which has drawn criticisms from some quarters, has been defended by the governor’s aide, Edgar Amos, who believes it serves a unique purpose.
The Federal Government recently allocated funds and food items to state governments to mitigate the impact of the fuel subsidy removal on the Nigerian people.
Various governors across the country have begun distributing these palliatives to their constituents, but the value and effectiveness of these distributions have come under serious scrutiny.
Governor Fintiri, however, stands out for his unconventional approach of branding the palliative rice bags with his image.
In response to the public outcry, Amos revealed the rationale behind this distinctive move. He argued that the governor’s photograph on the bags served as a restriction for potential profiteers looking to sell the food items for personal gains.
Amos defended the move, stating, “It is an argument for those who are already comfortable. We see photographs of leaders like Tinubu in various offices across the country, regardless of whether people voted for him or not; he is the president of Nigeria, and his photographs are displayed.
“Similarly, this is the governor of Adamawa State, and his image is displayed in offices. It has its advantages, as it means someone who intends to sell the rice in the market would think twice, seeing that it’s already branded. It’s a measure to curb abuse in the distribution process.”
Amos further emphasized Governor Fintiri’s popularity among the people of Adamawa State. He argued that those who are genuinely in need of food won’t be overly concerned about the photograph on the rice bags.
In his words, “Anybody who is hungry and is questioning the photographs on the bag of rice is not a hungry person; definitely, he is not. I don’t think a genuinely hungry individual would be bothered by the photographs on the rice bag.”
