Edo APC Accuses CAN of Misappropriating Federal Food Aid
A heated dispute has erupted between the Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) over allegations of federal food aid theft.
The conflict started after a video circulated online showing individuals looting 10kg bags of rice from a truck amid the ongoing End Bad Governance protests in Edo State.
In response, Apostle Dr. Irekpono Omoike, Chairman of CAN in Edo State, clarified that the rice shown in the video was intended for distribution through a vendor contracted by the Edo State CAN Implementation Committee as part of its Christian Feeding Programme. This program is funded entirely by the state government and is not affiliated with federal aid.
However, the Edo State APC dismissed Omoike’s explanation, accusing CAN of collaborating with the state government to steal and hoard rice from federal food palliatives instead of distributing it to the people of Edo.
At a press conference held at the Chancellery of the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin, Apostle Irekpono Omoike provided details about the rice. He stated that it was part of the second phase of the State Government’s Christian Feeding Programme. The first phase, which began in May 2024, involved distributing 60,000 bags of rice across Edo State’s three senatorial districts: 27,000 bags to Edo South, 18,000 to Edo North, and 15,000 to Edo Central.
Revd. Osagie Ehrunmwunse, Secretary of the CAN Implementation Committee, added that the truck carrying the rice, which had broken down on its way from Ekpoma, was intercepted by vandals while being redirected for safekeeping.
Despite the controversy, protests in Edo State have remained largely peaceful, with thousands of demonstrators gathering daily at the Ring Road Roundabout in Benin City. They have been carrying placards with messages like “Tinubu, reduce the hunger,” “APC, stop making us suffer,” and “Say No To High Fuel Price.” State Commissioner of Police Funsho Adegboye has urged the protesters to continue their demonstrations peacefully and lawfully.
