by Ibrahim Kabiru Sule
Nigerian refugees in Diffa State of Niger Republic yesterday rejected relief materials branded with photographs of President Goodluck Jonathan, the BBC Hausa Service radio reported.
The items were meant to assist them in their camps in Niger Republic after fleeing Boko Haram attacks.
The report monitored in Abuja yesterday said the refugees rejected the materials because they were adorned with President Jonathan’s pictures.
National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) representatives delivered the items which included bags of rice, vegetable oil, mattresses, textiles and rugs.
The Nigerian delegation headed by Ambassador Isa Sokoto however handed over the items to Diffa State Governor, Yakubu Gawo, who promised to ensure their distribution to the refugees.
After the materials were delivered, the displaced persons said they would not receive them, saying there was a political undertone behind the gesture.
“Who is going to collect these items? Who, Goodluck? No, no. All this time nothing happened until now? If we knew Jonathan’s pictures were on the item, we wouldn’t have come here. We don’t want them. What are we going to use them for? If you will do such a thing, it has to be with a clean conscience,” one of the refugees said.
Another told the BBC: “Actually, I don’t want it totally. The masses are suffering. Everybody is in hardship.” But Ambassador Sokoto said they were in Niger to discharge their responsibility for the Nigerian government to cater for its citizens anywhere they may be.
