We Didn’t Cause Hardship in Nigeria – APC 

The All Progressives Congress in Osun State has argued that the economic crisis ravaging millions of Nigerians was not the handiwork of the party at the centre.

A former Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, Timothy Owoeye, made this known Monday.

He said the APC-led Federal Government inherited the hardship in the country which has been in existence for years.

Owoeye, a chieftain of APC in the state was addressing a press conference in Osogbo, capital of Osun State on the activities lined up to mark the 70th birthday anniversary of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola.

Fielding questions from journalists on whether the decision of Oyetola to distribute raw food items was to partly address the hunger allegedly caused by the incumbent administration in the country, Owoeye said the former governor of Osun State would be giving out food to identify with the less privileged and also as a way of appreciating God’s mercy in his life.

He disagreed that the ruling APC plunged the nation into economic woes, saying the current situation dated many years back.

“I want you to know that the present situation in Nigeria was not caused by the APC. It has been there for ages. And for our leader to celebrate the 70th birthday at this time is a way to identify himself with the less privileged people across the state. Giving out foods is not new, it is a way to let you know that our leader, our amiable Honourable Minister for Marine and Blue Economy is a lover of the masses. For him to deem it fit to distribute food for the less privileged is a way of identifying himself with other people, not only the first class elites.

“Those who are close to our principal (Oyetola) will agree with me that Oyetola is a person that considers others. So, with his magnanimity, he believes that sharing food is a way to celebrate God’s mercy in his life and he is doing this by himself to distribute food across the state. The food will be taken to churches, mosques and accredited centers across the state. So, he is doing it by himself. And as of now, there is no way we can categorically say that this is the number of the people that will benefit but I know they are in thousands,” the former lawmaker said.

While disclosing that the Minister would be carrying out medical outreach for about 5,000 residents of the state as part of activities marking his birthday, Owoeye said Osun APC would be celebrating the Minister moderately.

He said, “As far as the medical outreach is concerned, our target is 1,000 patients per centre. The four-day medical outreach is to treat the vulnerable and the needy beginning from Osogbo on Tuesday, 24th September, 2024 at Tinubu/Shettima Campaign Office at 9:00am while the medical outreach train would move to Ilesa on Wednesday 25th, September, 2024 starting from 9:00am.

“The people of Iwo would have the opportunity to patronize the medical outreach programme on Thursday 26th September, 2024 at 9:00am while it would be the turn of the people of Iragbiji to have an access to the medical outreach on  Friday 26th September, 2024 with the climax of the programme in Ilesa with surgery on Saturday 28th September, 2024.

“We shall be distributing raw food items to the less-privileged members of the society at selected mosques, churches and other accredited centres across the state on Friday 27th September and Sunday 28th September, 2024.

“Finally, the 70th birthday celebration anniversary grand finale will hold in Iragbiji with a lecture and prayer session at the Iragbiji residence of the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy.”