The government and the All Progressives Congress (APC) engaged in a blame game on Tuesday following an incident of suspected food poisoning, resulting in about 18 pupils receiving treatment in a hospital.

The affected pupils, from James Primary School B, Osogbo, were reportedly treated on Monday due to complications linked to the mid-day meal served to them under the government’s free school feeding program.

ALSO READ: Senate president commends governor Otu, says APC is proud of him

The incident raised concerns among parents, with videos of affected pupils in hospitals circulating on social media.

Officials at the school, where pupils were reportedly having exams, did not allow entry when visited by a correspondent on Tuesday.

According to one of the victims, they were served rice with egg, and shortly afterward, they started experiencing complications.

Mothers of the victims noted a foul smell from the eggs when their children returned home, leading to concerns about the food provided by the vendor. They called for an investigation.

Osun State Commissioner for Education, Mr. Dipo Eluwole, questioned why only about 11 pupils living in the same compound were affected out of over 100 who ate the food.

He revealed that after completing exams, parents refused the government’s offer to have the pupils examined at a public hospital.

The Commissioner accused the opposition of attempting to tarnish the government’s image and mentioned one “Boda Wasiu” as the source of false claims.

ALSO READ: Adeleke appoints 309 board chairmen and members

The APC chairman, Mr. Tajudeen Lawal, criticized Governor Ademola Adeleke for alleged substandard food in the school feeding program, questioning the budget allocation and payment to vendors.

Lawal called for condemnation of the governor’s governance approach.

The incident has heightened concerns about the quality of the school feeding program and triggered political exchanges between the state government and the APC.