The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is demanding explanations from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) regarding the outcome of the rice pyramids launched by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2022. Debo Ologunagba, PDP’s national publicity secretary, emphasized the need for such an explanation, citing the prevailing hunger and harsh economic conditions in the country. He pointed out the tragic stampede incident last week during the distribution of 25kg bags of rice by the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) in Lagos, resulting in seven fatalities. Ologunagba argued that these deaths could have been prevented if the APC had ensured widespread availability of the rice promoted by the Buhari administration.
He criticized the APC government’s handling of food production, particularly in light of earlier claims of rice surplus attributed to interventions like the Anchor Borrowers Scheme from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which he alleged was marred by corruption. Ologunagba questioned the contradiction between the purported food surplus and the prevailing hunger in the country, calling attention to the disappearance of the rice pyramid touted by the APC. He called on the APC to provide explanations to Nigerians, especially considering the significant financial investments in programs like the Anchor Borrowers Scheme.
Ologunagba further urged the government to prioritize addressing the hunger crisis by declaring a state of emergency on food insecurity. He emphasized the need to tackle insecurity, which hampers farming activities, thereby exacerbating the food shortage. Ologunagba emphasized that hunger should be the government’s primary focus, as it can lead to frustration and desperation, potentially triggering dire consequences.
