50kg bags of rice for N40,000
A video circulating widely on social media on Sunday shows a man in northern Nigeria receiving bags of rice and beans from a supporter of President Bola Tinubu, expressing appreciation for the gifts while declaring that they will not influence his vote in the 2027 presidential election.
In the clip, the man, dressed in a light blue sleeveless top and dark shorts, is seen outdoors in a rural setting arranging several large bags of food items on the ground.
Some of the bags feature images associated with Tinubu or the All Progressives Congress and are marked “NOT FOR SALE.” He smiles, points at the sacks, and gestures toward them while speaking, appearing to acknowledge the donation.
According to the accompanying caption, the man is from northern Nigeria and thanked the Tinubu supporter who provided the bags of rice and beans. He nevertheless stated that he would still not vote for the president in 2027.
The approximately 48-second video is presented in a split-screen format, with footage of the man on one side and clips of President Tinubu speaking on the other. It has drawn significant attention, accumulating tens of thousands of views and hundreds of interactions shortly after being posted.
The video has prompted online discussion about the practice of distributing food items ahead of elections. Some commenters praised the man’s stance, arguing that voters should accept assistance without letting it determine their political choices. Others linked it to broader debates about economic hardship and political support in the north.
Food distribution by political figures and their supporters has been a recurring feature of Nigerian politics, particularly in the lead-up to elections. Similar gestures have previously drawn both praise for providing relief and criticism from opponents who describe them as attempts to influence voters amid rising living costs and insecurity in parts of the country.
The identity of the man and the specific location in the north were not detailed in the circulating post. The video itself does not include on-screen text clarifying his exact words beyond the account’s summary of his position.
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