Nigeria’s House of Representatives has refuted claims suggesting that its members received N100 million as palliatives. Instead, the House clarified that the Federal Government provided rice for distribution to constituencies as part of palliative measures.
Rep. Akin Rotimi, the Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Publicity, stated in Abuja on Friday to address the misunderstanding. This clarification follows a viral video featuring Rep. Dekeri Anamero, who mentioned that President Bola Tinubu provided each member with two trailers of rice for distribution in their constituencies.
Rotimi clarified that the rice distribution was a result of the Speaker of the House of Representatives lobbying for additional palliatives for constituencies nationwide. The procurement process, he explained, is being handled by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, adhering to existing public procurement laws.
He emphasised, “The procurement process is at different stages, depending on the constituency, but to be clear, no legislator has been given any money for palliatives.”. Rotimi acknowledged that members may be visible during the distribution process and rightfully take credit for bringing relief to the people.
Highlighting the commitment of the 10th House of Representatives as the “People’s House,” Rotimi assured that they would continue to engage and work to earn the trust of Nigerians as their elected representatives.
