Ekiti State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused Governor Ayodele Fayose of implementing policies that threaten the development of the people.
It said his rice gift token is a deliberate and callous incentive to lock people out of government-promoted self-sustaining schemes.
The party also accused the governor of failing to pay workers 192 hours after he made the promise to pay in 24 hours.
A statement by the Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatubosun, reads: “The governor is being wicked to the people by distributing one kilo of rice to the few millions living in abject poverty.
“This is coming at a time that more purposeful administrators are setting up self-sustaining schemes that permanently address poverty among the masses.
“Distribution of a ‘congo’ of rice to the people at this period when he cannot pay salary is a wicked diversion of their attention from problems that confront them daily.
“He is restricting their entrepreneurial skills and turning elitist into beggars.
“Is it rice they will use to pay their children’s school fees and meet their other needs?
“Is the life of an elitist person now permanently reduced to rice alone?”
Olatubosun accused the governor of refusing to address the security situation in the state, which, he said, had scared away many investors and petty traders.
“Instead of creating a secured atmosphere to allow businesses thrive, he is busy distributing rice to a thoroughly abused people.
“It should not be forgotten that the governor’s personal security vote is N200 million monthly.
“The last time he distributed rice to Ekiti people was in December, when he gave them the same measure of rice and three-month-old fowls for Christmas.
“Fayose has turned Ekiti people to a tribe of hungry people who need nothing other than taking care of their stomachs once in four months,” Olatubosun stated.
The APC spokesman added: “It is the restoration and promotion of Ekiti core values of hard work, honesty and thirst for self-fulfillment and development that should be the driving force of a genuine lover of Ekiti people.”