A group of youths in Gombe State have reportedly looted Ramadan palliatives allegedly sent by Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for distribution among the less privileged.
The incident, captured in a video going viral on Social Media platforms, showed young men carting away food items from a parked truck.
Recall that Seyi Tinubu has been visiting northern states during Ramadan, joining residents and political leaders for Iftar (breaking of fast) and launching feeding programmes for the needy.
His initiative, however, has sparked mixed reactions on social media, with some commending his efforts while others criticize it as inadequate.
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Among the critics is Shamsuddeen Bala Mohammed, son of Bauchi State Governor, who took to Facebook to voice his concerns. He urged Seyi Tinubu to introduce sustainable empowerment programs such as employment opportunities, business grants, ICT training, and infrastructure development instead of distributing food items.
“Please, when coming to Bauchi for the #RHYE, empower our youths with employment, Keke NAPEP, monies to start a business, ICT infrastructure and training for crypto trading, and so on. Please, we, the youths of Bauchi, don’t need rice and food in nylon bags during Ramadan. Teach our youths how to fish rather than feed them for one day. They are not beggars,” Mohammed wrote.
While Seyi Tinubu has yet to visit many core northern states, reports indicate that his palliatives had already arrived in Gombe. The distribution process, however, took an unexpected turn when some angry youths intercepted one of the two trucks allocated to the state.
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The truck, loaded with 3,500 cartons of rice, sugar, oil, salt, and pasta, was emptied by the crowd in an apparent act of frustration.
Reports suggest that the looting may have been incited by individuals excluded from the official distribution, which took place earlier at the state APC Secretariat.
Some observers speculate that political elements who felt sidelined in the process might have played a role in sabotaging the initiative.
While Seyi Tinubu’s visits to the north have been presented as part of his Ramadan outreach and the Renewed Hope Youth Engagement (RHYE) initiative, political analysts believe they could be a strategic move to strengthen his father’s influence in the North.
The APC has yet to respond to inquiries regarding the incident.