Atiku faults Tinubu over FG cash transfer programme

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration over discrepancies in the cash-transfer programme's reach. Atiku pointed out the contradictory reports on the number of households reached, initially claiming 15 million before later reducing it to "slightly over 10 million." This discrepancy raised questions about the programme's execution and the government's financial management.

Atiku demanded transparency, requesting detailed records of the payments, including verified beneficiary households, payment tranches, and state-by-state distribution figures. He urged the government to publish an independent audit to ensure the ₦600 billion allocated to the programme was indeed utilized. Atiku argued that instead of merely compensating households after economic pressures had taken effect, the government should focus on reducing the fundamental cost drivers pushing people into poverty.

He accused the administration of exacerbating financial burdens through higher fuel, transport, and food costs, which further disadvantaged vulnerable families. Atiku proposed a targeted and transparent intervention in the domestic petroleum value chain to lower fuel and transportation expenses at their source. He contended that such a strategy would have a broader economic impact by reducing costs for businesses and households alike, ultimately alleviating the need for cash transfers.

Atiku emphasized that reducing the reliance on government assistance should be the goal of any credible anti-poverty policy.