‘It’s organised racket’ – ADC accuses Tinubu govt over N33.75bn cash transfers

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused President Bola Tinubu's administration of transforming its social programs into a "criminal enterprise" aimed at benefiting officials rather than aiding impoverished Nigerians. This assertion was made in a statement released on Monday by the ADC's National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, in response to a report from the Auditor-General of the Federation.

The report revealed that N33.75 billion in cash transfers to 3.29 million households could not be verified, sparking inquiries into the handling of funds intended to assist vulnerable Nigerians. Abdullahi labeled the situation as an "organised racket," emphasizing that it represented a pattern of issues plaguing the government's social investment programs.

The party highlighted past controversies involving former Humanitarian Affairs Minister Betta Edu and the previous head of the National Social Investment Programme Agency, Halima Shehu. According to ADC, N585 million was allegedly deposited into a private account connected to Edu at the start of the Tinubu administration, while another N44 billion remained unaccounted for under Shehu's tenure.

The party questioned the rationale behind the government's introduction of a new $1 billion Renewed Hope Social Protection Programme, given the concerns over accountability in previous initiatives. Abdullahi expressed doubt that the new funds would be managed any differently, warning that even if implemented, the programme would likely become another example of misconduct.

The ADC also connected the increased demand for government cash transfers to the economic turmoil stemming from the removal of the fuel subsidy and the devaluation of the naira. The party accused the government of exacerbating hardship with its policies and then failing to manage the relief programs effectively. In their call for action, the ADC demanded a comprehensive investigation into the social intervention scheme and the immediate release of the full beneficiary register, REMITA payment records, and the identities of officials believed to have obstructed the Auditor-General's investigation.