Backlash trails rice distribution by City Boys Movement in Ekiti

Concerns have emerged after a trending video on X showed members of the City Boys Movement distributing bags of rice to motorists and passers-by in traffic in Ekiti State.

In the video, the group was seen sharing 25kg bags of rice directly with people on a busy road, prompting reactions from social media users about the intent of the exercise.

While some viewed the gesture as an act of support amid economic hardship, many others criticised it, describing it as a temporary measure that does not address deeper challenges.

Bassee product designer, wrote on X, “You fit chop rice make bandit kpai you the next day. You fit get rice make you no get money buy gas to cook am. You fit get rice make you no fit afford to eat any other food because food stuff cost.”

He added, “The solution is not rice, the solution is good governance. Good governance is stopping the wasteful exorbitance in government, translating from consumption to production, thereby creating employment. Good governance is ending corruption and its children such as terrorism, so that even farmers can go back to the farm and even get funding from the government. Good governance is prioritizing education and health care. Giving you rice is an insult to you, but a lot of you won’t see it.”

Another X user, Akanni, said, “Everybody crying under this tweet are from one region of the country following one Messiah whose ill-fated career ended moment he jumped into ADC.”

Similarly, another X user identified as Abegistan reacted humorously, writing, “Enjoy your balablu bulaba lol.”

OdDz also weighed in, saying, “Rice go fill belle for today, but e no go fix road, no go bring light, no go secure lives tomorrow.”

On her part, Ruby Dennis questioned the priorities behind such gestures: “Why not use the money to make sure there’s electricity 24 hours per week? Make good roads, hospitals, create a favourable business environment. People wouldn’t need rice cos they’d be able to buy it.”

Another user, Bigbank0125omaalaje, expressed a more critical view, saying, “I think Seyi Tinubu is a more horrible person than his father. Because he is young and he sees the struggle of the poor people he is sharing food to. He knows that meal cannot last them one week, but he is sharing it knowing he has done nothing to impact them.”

Augie added, “They should chop the rice. It did not come from Tinubu’s personal farm. It belongs to the people in the first place. As they are eating it, let them remember that the rice will not last for one year. Then they should make sure that they vote for another person.”

“I urge us all to save these videos of people collecting rice, so in the future when they cry foul, we know exactly the people who sold their birthright,” WaGml, another X user, said.