Hon. Abdulkadir Rahis, the lawmaker representing Maiduguri Metropolitan Constituency, has shared N26 million with 442 executives of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Borno State.
He said the money would support party loyalists during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
The cash distribution comes days after Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan reportedly gave N135.65 million to APC executives in the same constituency for Sallah.
Rahis organised the event in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
Party executives, ward officials, supporters, and stakeholders attended the gathering from different parts of the constituency.
In a Facebook post, the lawmaker said he has maintained a tradition of supporting party members during festive periods.
He said the gesture aimed to appreciate loyal supporters and grassroots party officials.
Beneficiaries reportedly came from several wards within Maiduguri Metropolitan Constituency.
The cash donation followed Rahis’ victory in the APC primary election.
He scored 20,509 votes to emerge winner of the contest.
If voters re-elect him, Rahis will serve a fifth consecutive term in the House of Representatives.
Before joining the National Assembly, he served five terms as chairman of Maiduguri Metropolitan Council.
Political observers believe the latest gesture could strengthen his grassroots support ahead of the general election.
The donation sparked mixed reactions online.
Some APC supporters praised the lawmaker for helping party officials during a difficult economic period.
Others criticised the public display of huge cash sums.
Critics also questioned the movement of large amounts of money in cash despite growing calls for electronic transactions.
Some Nigerians argued that politicians should focus more on long-term empowerment projects instead of direct cash handouts.
However, supporters defended the donations and described them as goodwill gestures for loyal party members.
The back-to-back donations by prominent politicians have triggered debate across social media platforms.
Many Nigerians now question whether such gestures encourage political patronage within party structures.
Others insist the support reflects appreciation for grassroots mobilisation and party loyalty.
Neither Rahis nor Senator Lawan has suggested any wrongdoing.
Both lawmakers maintain that the donations served as Sallah support for APC executives and stakeholders.
