The African Democratic Congress has branded President Bola Tinubu’s Social Intervention Programme an organised racket following revelations that N33.75 billion in cash transfers cannot be verified. The Auditor-General’s report identified the missing funds from transfers meant for 3.29 million households, raising fresh questions about accountability in government welfare schemes.
National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi released a statement on Monday claiming the programme has become a criminal enterprise. He pointed to a pattern of alleged financial improprieties, including N585 million reportedly wired to a private account under former minister Betta Edu. Another N44 billion allegedly went missing from the National Social Investment Programme Agency under Halima Shehu’s watch.
What happened to the money meant for Nigeria’s poorest citizens? The opposition party isn’t buying claims of mere mismanagement.
The unaccounted N33.75 billion represents part of a larger N78 billion intervention fund. Despite these controversies, the federal government recently announced an even bigger $1 billion package without demonstrating improved transparency measures, according to the party’s statement.
Accountability in social welfare programmes remains a contentious issue as millions of Nigerians struggle with economic hardship.
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