The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the President Bola Tinubu-led administration of converting a social intervention programme into a racket. The allegation follows an Auditor-General’s report revealing that N33.75 billion in cash transfers intended for 3.29 million households could not be matched to verified beneficiaries.
The ADC stated that the findings from the Auditor-General are deeply troubling, suggesting a massive failure in the oversight of funds meant to provide relief to Nigeria’s most vulnerable populations. The party claims the discrepancy indicates that billions of naira meant for poverty alleviation may have been diverted or mismanaged.
The political party made these claims regarding the N33.75bn cash transfer programme after reviewing the recent audit findings which pointed to a significant gap between the money disbursed and the actual people receiving it.
Discrepancies in social welfare funding
According to the Auditor-General’s report, while the government moved N33.75 billion to support over three million households, the documentation provided to verify these recipients was insufficient or non-existent. This lack of verifiable data has raised questions about the integrity of the selection process for the social intervention schemes.
The ADC argued that instead of providing a safety net for citizens facing economic hardship, the programme has become a tool for illicit enrichment. The party is calling for a thorough investigation into how such a large sum of money could be moved without proper beneficiary verification.
Social intervention programmes in Nigeria, including various cash transfer initiatives, are designed to mitigate the effects of inflation and rising living costs. However, these schemes have frequently faced criticism regarding transparency and the ability of government agencies to accurately identify and reach intended recipients.
The current administration has faced increasing pressure to manage the country’s social welfare budget effectively amidst high inflation and food insecurity. The Auditor-General’s report adds a layer of scrutiny to the administration’s ability to execute these programmes without leakage.
At the time of publication, the Presidency and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs have not issued a formal response to the specific allegations made by the ADC or the findings contained in the Auditor-General’s report. The matter remains a point of contention as opposition parties demand greater accountability in the management of public funds.
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