CONTROVERSY,Wednesday, trailed the rice distributed by a governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr Kenneth Imasuagbon, in the three senatorial districts of Edo State, as the state PDP accused the state government of instigating some individuals in the state to criticize what it described as the kind gesture of the guber aspirant.

But the state government in  a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Mr. John Mayaki, described the allegation against the state government as laughable, arguing “if the people of the state criticised Imansuagbon over his Christmas rice distribution, how does that concern Edo State government? Sincerely, this is a misplaced direct attack on government,” he said.

It will be recalled that Imansuangbon had two weeks ago distributed rice across the three Senatorial District of the state in what has become an annual event, saying that the gesture was not political but his way of showing gratitude to God, who has endowed him with resources.

However, Imansuangbon’s gesture came under criticism with several persons reading political motive into his action.

One of the critics, Joseph Edjodame said “it is not true. The aspirant is just looking for cheap popularity. He can instead,  initiate a rice plantation to create jobs and empowers the local people. It was only meant for the PDP officials and not for the ordinary people. I know Imansuangbon very well he is just a joker.”

But reacting through the Director of Publicity and Strategy, Mr  Okharedia Ihimekpen, the PDP described as sad and unfortunate the criticisms that trailed the rice distribution.