Residents of Calabar and Odukpani Federal Constituency in Cross River State have reacted angrily after their House of Representatives member, Hon.
Bassey Akiba, distributed just ten cassava stems per person in what was described as an empowerment programme.
The distribution, which took place in Okoyong, Odukpani Local Government Area, was intended to support local farmers.
However, many beneficiaries and community members criticised the gesture, calling it symbolic, inadequate, and politically motivated.
A constituent, Comrade Ikposa, alleged that the cassava stems and fertilisers were part of a Federal Government agricultural intervention approved by President Bola Tinubu, not a personal initiative by the lawmaker.
He further claimed the items had been stored for over a year, leaving them dried and unsuitable for planting, especially given the current harsh weather conditions.
One beneficiary, Doris Affia, said she accepted the stems only to avoid offending the lawmaker.
“With ten stems, what can anyone realistically plant?” she asked, adding that refusal might affect future benefits.
Despite the backlash, some supporters defended Akiba, arguing that distributing anything at all showed effort where others had done nothing.
Attempts to get a response from Hon.
Bassey Akiba were unsuccessful, as he did not answer calls.
