Anger As Tinubu’s Minister Asks Lawmakers To Fill Forms For Rice Distribution

The House of Representatives has been thrown into controversy following the alleged distribution of bags of rice donated by the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, to federal lawmakers.

Reports indicate that members of the House were directed to fill and submit special stock release authorisation forms before they could collect five bags of rice, each weighing 25 kilograms.
The development has reportedly generated anger among some lawmakers, who expressed displeasure over being asked to complete administrative procedures to access food items allegedly donated by a serving minister.

Sources within the House of Representatives told reporters on Thursday that lawmakers were informed that only duly completed forms would be recognised for the administration, processing, and validation of the rice distribution.

According to the sources, each lawmaker was entitled to five bags of 25kg rice, but the process attached to the collection sparked internal discontent.

“Dave Umahi sent five bags of rice (25kg) each to them. Some of them were not happy. I don’t know if they finally went to pick the rice or not,” a source privy to the donation said.

A copy of the form circulated to lawmakers via an official WhatsApp group was obtained. The document, titled “Stock Release Authorization Form for Members,” contains fields for the Honourable Member’s name, office number, authorised by, received by, and prepared by.

The form also includes a section marked “SA Finance Release (5 bags of 25kg)” and instructs lawmakers to attach photocopies of both the lawmaker’s and the receiver’s National Assembly ID cards.

In addition, it was learned that a photocopy of a Legislative Aide’s official ID card is required before the form can be issued.

A notice issued to lawmakers further outlined the distribution process, stating that arrangements had been concluded for the distribution of the rice “in line with the process adopted last year.”
According to the notice, forms were to be collected from the Speaker’s Office by a Legislative Aide whose official ID card bears the name of the lawmaker. Each lawmaker was required to authorise the release by signing the form and indicating the name of the staff member who would receive the items on their behalf.

Completed forms were to be submitted to the Special Adviser on Finance for processing and release.

The notice also disclosed that the rice would be collected at Garki International Market (Old CBN Quarters), Mr Monday’s Rice Shop, close to the mosque, and warned that only properly completed forms would be accepted.

Sources said the development has provoked anger among some lawmakers, especially amid Nigeria’s worsening economic conditions, rising inflation, and widespread public hardship. They noted that the optics of lawmakers collecting food items allegedly donated by a serving minister have made some members uncomfortable.

However, the Minister of Works has denied the allegation.

When contacted, Uchenna Orji, Special Adviser on Media to Senator Umahi, described the claim as “complete blackmail,” insisting that no rice was donated by the minister to members of the National Assembly.

He dismissed the report as a fabrication and a distraction, stressing that there was no evidence to support the allegation.

“To suggest that there was a bag or bags of rice from the Minister to National Assembly members is absolutely false and irresponsible,” Orji said.

He urged the public to assess the minister’s performance based on ongoing road construction and rehabilitation projects across the country rather than what he described as unfounded claims.