The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has demanded a full investigation into the alleged inability to verify N33.75 billion in cash transfers made to 3.29 million households, accusing the Bola Tinubu administration of turning social intervention programmes into a vehicle for corruption.
The party made the allegation in a statement on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, following reported findings by the Auditor-General of the Federation.
Abdullahi described the alleged unverified payments as evidence of a wider accountability problem within the government’s social investment programmes.
“Let us call this what it is. Not mismanagement. Not an oversight. It is an organised racket,” he said, alleging that public funds meant to cushion the impact of economic hardship were being diverted.
The ADC also cited previous controversies involving the National Social Investment Programme, recalling the reported transfer of N585 million to a private account linked to former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu, as well as allegations concerning N44 billion under the former leadership of the National Social Investment Programme Agency.
The opposition party questioned the government’s response to the earlier controversies, particularly its decision to reinstate some officials into political roles.
According to the ADC, the latest alleged N33.75 billion irregularity is contained within a larger N78 billion intervention fund, raising fresh questions about the administration and monitoring of social welfare programmes.
The party also criticised the Federal Government’s recently announced $1 billion Renewed Hope Social Protection Programme, arguing that authorities should first account for previous interventions before launching new ones.
“Given the familiar history, we are in no doubt that even in the unlikely event that this latest intervention is ever implemented, it would end up like the others before it: another racket,” Abdullahi said.
The ADC further blamed the administration’s economic policies for worsening poverty and increasing Nigerians’ dependence on government assistance.
It specifically pointed to the removal of fuel subsidy and currency devaluation, which it said had contributed to higher transportation and food costs.
“Their twin disastrous policies of fuel subsidy removal and currency devaluation have exploded the population of Nigerians living in extreme poverty,” the party said.
The opposition party consequently called for the immediate publication of the complete beneficiary register, REMITA payment records and names of officials allegedly responsible for frustrating the Auditor-General’s verification exercise.
The ADC said the government must provide Nigerians with a clear account of how social intervention funds were disbursed and ensure that future programmes are subjected to stronger transparency and accountability measures.
