Outrage as LG Chairman Hands Out Single Noodles and ₦1000 — PDP Slams ‘Insulting’ Gesture

The Jigawa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticized the Chairman of Buji Local Government Council, Najibulla Falalu Tukur, over his distribution of single packets of noodles and ₦1,000 to residents.

Ahead of the Sallah festivities, Chairman Tukur had provided food and relief items to individuals across the Buji LGA. However, a video from the event — showing recipients receiving only a single noodle pack and ₦1,000 — quickly went viral on social media, especially Facebook, sparking widespread backlash.

In a statement released in Dutse, the state capital, PDP’s State Publicity Secretary, Umar Kyari, denounced the act, calling it “political immaturity” and “an affront to the dignity of the people.”

“The PDP has thoroughly reviewed the video, and we strongly condemn the chairman’s actions,” Kyari said. “This reflects the extent to which the APC has dragged Nigerians into hunger and despair.”

He further criticized the APC-led administration for not addressing the situation, alleging that the ruling party lacks empathy for the populace.

Kyari called on the people of Jigawa to support the PDP in efforts to rescue the state from what he described as misrule by the APC. “We will not stand by while the dignity of our people is trampled,” he added, warning against a return to “archaic and demeaning” political practices.

Despite the criticism, the PDP extended congratulations to the Muslim community on the peaceful observance of Eid al-Adha and offered prayers for the safe return of pilgrims and a fruitful rainy season.

Responding to the PDP’s condemnation, the Council Chairman’s Public Relations Officer, Aliyu Safiyanu, defended the program, describing it as a well-intentioned social assistance scheme that reached about 3,000 beneficiaries from various backgrounds.

Safiyanu explained that the main distribution included 25kg bags of rice, cartons of pasta, and cash between ₦5,000 and ₦20,000, targeted at women, widows, youth, clerics, and party elders.

He clarified that the viral video was taken out of context, capturing a moment when unregistered attendees showed up at the venue. To ensure no one left empty-handed, the chairman opted to distribute remaining supplies among them.

“The chairman felt it was better to give something — no matter how small — than let people return home with nothing,” Safiyanu explained.