September 5, 2024 — The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed strong disapproval of Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s recent donation of 100 vehicles to the State Police Command, labeling it a “gross misplacement of priority.”
In a statement released on Thursday, Tony Okocha, Chairman of the APC’s Caretaker Committee in Rivers State, criticized the governor’s decision to prioritize vehicle donations to the police while residents face severe economic difficulties, including widespread hunger.
“The Governor’s focus on donating vehicles to the police is in stark contrast to the urgent needs of our people,” Okocha said. He pointed out that while other state governors are investing in agricultural projects and food distribution to address hunger and food insecurity, Fubara’s actions appear misguided.
Okocha highlighted efforts by governors in other states, such as Niger, Akwa Ibom, Taraba, and Lagos, who have been providing tractors and farm implements to farmers and distributing food items to citizens in need. He questioned why Fubara would choose to donate “confirmed 7th hand rickety vehicles” to the police rather than addressing the pressing needs of Rivers State residents.
“It is absurd that Governor Fubara would prioritize vehicle donations to the police while our people are suffering from hunger,” Okocha stated. He criticized the governor’s focus on what he described as “a hundred pieces of used vehicles” at a time when there are more pressing issues that require attention.
Okocha further questioned the relevance of the vehicle donation to the current plight of Rivers State residents, asking, “What is the connection between police vehicles and empty stomachs?” He also inquired whether the Rivers State Police Command had been removed from the Exclusive List, which designates the Federal Government as responsible for its funding, management, and recruitment.
The APC’s criticism reflects broader concerns about the allocation of resources and priorities within the state government, particularly in light of ongoing economic challenges faced by the population.
