N33.75bn Cash Transfer: ADC Accuses Tinubu Govt of ‘Stealing From the Poor’

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the President Bola Tinubu administration of turning Nigeria’s social intervention programmes into an avenue for corruption, following an Auditor-General’s finding that N33.75 billion in cash transfers to 3.29 million households could not be verified.

The opposition party described the development as evidence of systemic failure in the management of funds meant to support poor and vulnerable Nigerians.

In a statement on Monday, ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, alleged that the unverified payments formed part of a broader pattern of financial irregularities surrounding the government’s social investment programmes.

“Let us call this what it is. Not mismanagement. Not an oversight. It is an organised racket,” Abdullahi said, alleging that the programme had been used to divert resources meant for Nigerians living in poverty.

The ADC said the N33.75 billion in question was contained within a larger N78 billion intervention fund and demanded a comprehensive investigation into the disbursement.

The party also cited previous controversies involving the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), recalling allegations surrounding former Humanitarian Affairs Minister, Betta Edu, and former NSIPA chief executive, Halima Shehu.

According to the ADC, the controversies demonstrate the need for greater transparency in the administration of social intervention funds.

The party questioned the Federal Government’s decision to announce a new $1 billion Renewed Hope Social Protection Programme despite the latest audit concerns.

Abdullahi said the government should first demonstrate that mechanisms had been put in place to prevent a recurrence of alleged financial irregularities before committing additional resources to social protection.

The opposition party further linked the growing demand for social intervention programmes to the economic impact of the Tinubu administration’s policies, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy and naira devaluation.

It argued that the policies had increased the cost of living and pushed more Nigerians into economic hardship, thereby increasing dependence on government assistance.

“This is a government that manufactured hardship with one hand and pocketed the relief with the other,” the party alleged.

The ADC called for an immediate probe into the cash-transfer programme and demanded the publication of the full beneficiary register, Remita payment trail and identities of officials allegedly responsible for obstructing the Auditor-General’s verification process.

The party’s allegations come amid growing scrutiny of Nigeria’s social protection programmes and the management of funds targeted at vulnerable households.

The Federal Government has yet to respond to the specific allegations contained in the ADC statement.

The Auditor-General’s finding cited by the party is expected to fuel further calls for transparency and independent verification of beneficiaries of government-funded social intervention programmes.