ADC Accuses Government of Turning Social Intervention Into Racket

The African Democratic Congress has accused the President Bola Tinubu administration of turning its social intervention programmes into a “racket” following an Auditor General’s report questioning the disbursement of 33.75 billion naira in cash transfers.

The ADC said the audit finding raised serious concerns about transparency and accountability in the government’s social investment programmes.

The money was reportedly transferred in 2023 to more than 3.29 million households across 35 states.

The Auditor General’s 2024 report said auditors could not verify whether the money reached genuine beneficiaries because payment vouchers did not contain complete beneficiary details.

It also said the relevant Remita statement was not provided to auditors.

The report further stated that attempts to obtain payment records were obstructed by accounts staff at the National Cash Transfer Office.

But ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi described the development as evidence of an “organised racket” allegedly operating under the guise of social intervention.

Abdullahi also alleged that previous social investment programmes had been affected by corruption.

He cited the controversies involving former Humanitarian Affairs Minister Betta Edu and former National Social Investment Programme Agency chief executive Halima Shehu.

The ADC said the latest finding was particularly concerning because the Federal Government recently announced a one billion dollar Renewed Hope Social Protection Programme.

The party called for existing accountability concerns to be addressed before larger social intervention schemes are launched.

It also demanded a full investigation into the cash transfer programme.

The ADC called for the publication of the complete beneficiary register, the Remita payment trail and the names of officials who allegedly obstructed the audit.

The party also blamed the government’s fuel subsidy removal and currency devaluation policies for worsening economic hardship and increasing the number of Nigerians dependent on government assistance.

The Auditor General has recommended that the official responsible for the national cash transfer programme account to the National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committees for the 33.75 billion naira.

The official is also expected to provide evidence that the intended beneficiaries received the funds.