Catholic priest rejects Tinubu branded rice calls it renewed hopelessness

A Catholic priest in the Diocese of Warri which name has not been identify has gone viral after rejecting the bags of rice branded with the Renewed Hope Ambassadors label, of President Bola Tinubu describing it as a symbol of misplaced government priorities.

According to the priest, officials delivered the rice to his residence for distribution to parishioners. He condemned the gesture, arguing that government should focus on solving the country’s economic challenges instead of distributing food during the election season.

The cleric criticized what he described as the enormous public funds being spent on rice distribution, calling it an irresponsible approach to governance. He said he had never witnessed what he described as such a level of primitive wickedness.

The video has triggered widespread reactions on social media, where many users mockingly renamed the donation Renewed Hopelessness rice. Supporters of the priest and Nigerians praised his stance, saying it reflects growing public frustration over short term palliatives and concerns that such initiatives could be seen as attempts to influence voters ahead of future elections.

The development comes amid continued public debate over Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda and follows his recent engagement with Catholic bishops on national issues.