PDP Blasts Jigawa Council Boss Over Viral Video of 'Embarrassing' Handouts

PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Jigawa State has come down hard on Najibulla Falalu Tukur, Chairman of Buji Local Government Area, after a video surfaced online showing him handing out one packet of Indomie noodles and N1,000 to individuals as relief items.

The video, which spread rapidly across social media—particularly Facebook—was recorded shortly before the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations. It showed residents queuing to receive the modest handouts, sparking public outrage and criticism.

In a statement issued Monday in Dutse, the state capital, PDP’s Publicity Secretary, Umar Kyari, slammed the action as both “undignifying” and a sign of “political immaturity.” He said the incident reflected the APC's failure to tackle poverty and hunger in Nigeria.

“This video clearly shows how APC’s leadership has reduced citizens to beggars. It’s a disgrace,” Kyari said. “We call on the people of Jigawa to stand with the PDP and demand better leadership that respects human dignity.”

He also criticized the silence of higher authorities, saying it proves the ruling party is out of touch with the suffering of ordinary Nigerians. The PDP warned against normalizing what it described as “dark-age political behaviour.”

Nevertheless, the party congratulated Muslims on a peaceful Eid celebration, offered prayers for pilgrims’ safe return, and expressed hopes for a productive rainy season.

Council Chairman Responds: Handout Was Misunderstood

In response to the backlash, Chairman Najibulla Tukur, through his spokesperson, Aliyu Safiyanu, defended the initiative, saying it was a genuine social assistance program targeting about 3,000 beneficiaries from across Buji LGA.

Speaking in a phone interview, Safiyanu clarified that the program included substantial aid—25kg bags of rice, cartons of pasta, and cash amounts ranging from N5,000 to N20,000—distributed to women, widows, orphans’ guardians, youth, religious leaders, and party officials.

He said the now-viral clip only showed a small, unplanned part of the event. According to him, some unregistered individuals arrived late, and to ensure they didn’t leave empty-handed, the chairman improvised by distributing whatever was left, including the single noodles and N1,000.

“There was no intention to mock or disrespect anyone,” Safiyanu insisted. “Unfortunately, the video was taken out of context and has been misused on social media by people with bad motives.”

He assured the public that the full initiative was carried out in good faith and emphasized the chairman’s commitment to inclusive governance and compassion.

Punch

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