Atiku criticises Tinubu over N33.75bn cash transfer payments

Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar, has launched a scathing attack on the Bola Tinubu administration over the administration of a N33.75 billion cash transfer programme. In a statement released on Saturday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku questioned the adequacy of the funds and their distribution.

According to Atiku, the N33.75 billion allocated for 3.29 million households translates to just N10,258 per household, a sum too modest to effectively alleviate the impact of skyrocketing costs of living in Nigeria. He highlighted the surge in transportation fares, electricity costs, food prices, and taxes following the removal of fuel subsidies, exacerbating the plight of vulnerable Nigerians.

Atiku expressed concern over the government's inability to provide a clear account of the funds meant for these households. He pointed out the discrepancies in the reported number of beneficiaries, with the government claiming over N600 billion was disbursed to over 10 million households, while Nigerians had been informed that only about 15 million households were beneficiaries.

Atiku alleged inconsistencies in the reported payments, stating that N36.74 billion was disbursed without pre-payment audits, and N4.62 billion for which payment vouchers were not provided. He demanded an independent team of experts comprising financial, audit, technology, and public-accounting professionals to scrutinize the records and trace the money, ensuring transparency and accountability.

Atiku urged a shift from temporary palliatives to comprehensive economic policies aimed at boosting people's purchasing power and reducing the cost of essential goods and services.