Soludo Rebagged FG Rice And Gave It To APGA Members – Anambra APC Alleges
The political rivalry between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra State has taken a new twist, as the APC in the state has accused Governor Chukwuma Soludo of manipulating federal resources to favor his political party. The party chairman, Mr. Basil Ejidike, raised concerns about what he described as the dominance of Soludo and APGA in the affairs of Anambra State, even at the federal level. According to Ejidike, the federal government’s distribution of resources, such as palliative rice bags, has been skewed in favor of APGA members, marginalizing those who belong to the APC and other parties.
This accusation has ignited tensions in the state, with the APC accusing Soludo of using state resources and federal palliatives for political gain. The alleged mismanagement of federal resources, especially the rebagging of rice meant for distribution across Anambra, has led to concerns over transparency and fairness in the distribution of government aid. In this article, we will explore the details of these allegations, the political implications for the state, and the broader impact on the relationship between the APC and the federal government.
At the heart of the APC’s grievances lies the claim that Governor Soludo has been using his political influence to ensure that all federal appointments and benefits that come to Anambra State are channeled to APGA members. According to the APC chairman, the federal government’s efforts to alleviate the hardships faced by citizens, such as distributing rice as palliatives, have been manipulated for political purposes.
Ejidike specifically pointed to an incident during Christmas 2024, where bags of rice distributed by the federal government were allegedly rebagged, with Governor Soludo’s image and the APGA logo printed on the bags. This act was said to give the impression that the rice was a gift from the governor rather than a federal government initiative. The APC claimed that these rebagged rice bags were then distributed exclusively to APGA members, excluding members of other political parties in the state, particularly the APC.
In his statement, Ejidike expressed frustration over the perceived favoritism in the distribution of federal resources and appointments. He stated that the trend has caused dissatisfaction among APC members in Anambra, who feel neglected and sidelined in favor of APGA, despite their contributions and sacrifices for the party. He warned that this growing sense of alienation could weaken the APC’s presence in the state and undermine its efforts to emerge victorious in the 2025 Anambra state elections.
One of the core issues raised by the APC in Anambra is the alleged disregard for the party in federal appointments to key positions within the state. Ejidike argued that federal appointments in Anambra have been dominated by APGA members, leaving little room for APC members to benefit from the rewards of their political loyalty and efforts. According to him, this trend has discouraged APC members, as many of those appointed to significant positions in the federal government are not affiliated with the party.
Ejidike lamented that many APC members, who have made considerable sacrifices to strengthen the party at the grassroots level, have been left without recognition or reward. He pointed out that the party’s inability to influence appointments and gain political leverage within the state is contributing to a sense of disillusionment among its members. This disenchantment, he argued, threatens the APC’s prospects in future elections, particularly the upcoming Anambra 2025 gubernatorial race.
The APC’s concerns over federal appointments and the political marginalization of its members are not new. Across Nigeria, the allocation of government appointments has long been a point of contention between political parties, especially in states where opposition parties feel sidelined by the ruling party. In Anambra, this tension between the APC and APGA has only intensified, as the state has been a battleground for political influence in rece….
The allegation that Governor Soludo rebagged federal rice palliatives and distributed them exclusively to APGA members has sparked significant controversy. According to the APC, bags of rice, meant to be distributed to the entire population of Anambra as part of the federal government’s efforts to alleviate economic hardship, were rebagged with Soludo’s image and the APGA logo. The move was seen as an attempt to create the impression that the rice was a personal gift from the governor, aimed at boosting his political image and favoring his party members.
The rebagging of federal palliatives has raised questions about transparency in the distribution of aid. Critics argue that the practice undermines the credibility of the federal government’s efforts to support citizens in times of need. In a state like Anambra, where political rivalries are intense, the perception that federal resources are being used to favor one party over others only fuels further distrust among the electorate.
Furthermore, the APC has argued that this act of rebagging the rice and distributing it only to APGA members is an example of how the Soludo administration is using federal resources to consolidate political power within the state. This tactic, according to the APC, not only marginalizes APC members but also denies the broader population access to essential resources that are meant to alleviate their suffering.
In response to these issues, Basil Ejidike, the chairman of the APC in Anambra State, made a public appeal to President Bola Tinubu, urging him to intervene in the matter. Ejidike expressed concerns that the political marginalization of APC members in Anambra was harming the party’s growth and success in the state. He called for the federal government to address the inequities in the distribution of federal appointments and resources, arguing that such disparities were undermining the APC’s influence and weakening the party’s position ahead of the 2025 gubernatorial elections.
Ejidike appealed to Tinubu to take action to ensure that APC members in Anambra were not discriminated against in the allocation of government appointments and incentives. He also urged the president to intervene in the matter of the rebagged rice, arguing that the distribution of federal resources should be done equitably, without political favoritism.
In his appeal, Ejidike emphasized that the APC in Anambra had made significant sacrifices for the party, and many of its members had worked tirelessly at the grassroots level to build the party’s presence in the state. He warned that if the current trend of political exclusion continued, it could lead to a decline in the party’s fortunes in the state, making it more difficult for the APC to achieve victory in the 2025 elections.
The ongoing political tension between the APC and APGA in Anambra has significant ramifications for the state’s political landscape. As the 2025 gubernatorial election approaches, both parties are positioning themselves for a fierce battle for control of the state government. The APC’s accusations of political favoritism and the alleged misallocation of federal resources could galvanize the party’s base, leading to increased political mobilization and campaigning. However, these allegations could also fuel further divisions in the state, making it more difficult to achieve political unity and cooperation.
At the same time, the APGA-led government in Anambra, under Governor Soludo, is likely to view these accusations as an attempt by the opposition to discredit its administration and undermine its achievements. Soludo and his supporters may argue that the APC’s accusations are politically motivated and aimed at tarnishing the reputation of the state government. The rebagging of rice and the distribution of federal palliatives, while controversial, may be seen by APGA as a legitimate way to boost its political image and ensure that resources are effectively distributed to those who support the party.
The political rivalry between the APC and APGA is not just about control of the state government; it also reflects deeper divisions within the state’s electorate. Anambra has long been a politically divided state, with various ethnic, regional, and ideological factions vying for influence. The APC’s concerns about the dominance of APGA in state politics are a reflection of these ongoing power struggles, and the way these issues are handled in the coming months could have a profound impact on the state’s political future.
The allegations raised by the APC in Anambra regarding the rebagging of federal rice and the marginalization of party members are part of a larger political battle for control of the state. The APC’s appeal to President Tinubu to intervene in the matter highlights the growing sense of frustration and disillusionment among the party’s supporters in the state. As the 2025 gubernatorial election approaches, the stakes are high, and the APC’s ability to overcome these challenges will be critical to its success.
The controversy over federal appointments and the distribution of palliatives is likely to remain a key issue in the lead-up to the election. Whether or not the APC can secure fair treatment from the federal government and restore its influence in Anambra remains to be seen. However, one thing is clear: the political tensions in the state are far from over, and the outcome of this dispute could have a lasting impact on the future of Anambra politics.
