Youths in Gombe State have looted Ramadan palliatives meant for distribution by Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Seyi Tinubu has been visiting northern states to launch a Ramadan feeding programme for the less privileged. However, the initiative has faced criticism on social media, with mixed reactions from the public.
While some have welcomed the effort, others argue that the region deserves more substantial interventions beyond palliative donations. Among the critics is Shamsuddeen Bala Mohammed, son of the Bauchi State Governor, who called for sustainable empowerment programmes instead.
In a Facebook post, he urged Seyi Tinubu to provide employment opportunities, financial support for businesses, ICT infrastructure, and training in digital skills such as cryptocurrency trading.
“We, the youths of Bauchi, don’t need rice and food in nylon bags during Ramadan,” he wrote. “Teach our youths how to fish rather than feed them for one day. They are not beggars.”
Reports indicate that Seyi Tinubu’s palliative had arrived in Gombe before the looting incident. A video obtained by newsmen showed angry youths carting away cartons of food items from a truck parked by the roadside. The items, including rice, sugar, oil, salt, and pasta, were thrown down to others who eagerly took them.
Two trucks containing 3,500 cartons of food supplies were allocated to Gombe. While one truck’s contents were successfully distributed, the second was intercepted and emptied by the youths.
Seyi Tinubu’s visits to northern states have been described as part of the Renewed Hope Youth Engagement (RHYE) initiative and Ramadan outreach. However, political observers suggest they may also serve as a strategic move to bolster his father’s influence in the region amid emerging resistance to his re-election bid.
There are speculations that individuals who felt sidelined during the distribution, which initially took place at the state All Progressives Congress (APC) Secretariat, may have sabotaged the programme.
