Edo PDP denies distributing ex-President Jonathan’s rice

THE Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday denied some media reports alleging that that one of its governorship aspirants shared rice donated for former President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election bid as Christmas gift to his supporters.

A press statement by the state Publicity Secretary, Chris Nehikhare said the allegation was a “false and fabricated story sponsored by agents of darkness in Edo State regarding the gifting of rice by one of our gubernatorial aspirants to party members and loyalists across the state.

“We would like to confirm that we have investigated it and are pleased to tell our party members that the story is not only false, it is sponsored and fabricated. At this junction, we wish to tell those that thrive on lies, deceit and petty rumour that there is no room for them in our party.

We advise our party members to be wary of paid agents that are bent on destabilising our very cohesive party. Edo PDP will not be distracted by sponsored divisive antics. We urge all our aspirants to continue the good work they are doing.”

He clarified that the bags of rice shared by the affected aspirant for the Yuletide had nothing to do with “Jonathan’s rice, some of which were in five kilogrammes, while the controversial one is in two-kilogramme bags which were in fresh sachets and with inscriptions that have nothing to do with those of Jonathan.”