Tinubu govt running social intervention schemes as ‘racket’ — ADC

African Democratic Congress (ADC) has been charging the Bola Tinubu government of making Federal Government social intervention schemes a “racket,” claiming that this is done at the expense of impoverished Nigerians.

The opposition party brought forth the accusation on Monday in response to a report from the Auditor-General’s office stating that N33.75 billion, which were claimed to have been paid out to 3.29 million homes, could not be accounted for.

The charges were made in a statement released by National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi.

“Let us call this what it is. Not mismanagement. Not an oversight. It is an organised racket, which this government has run under the guise of a social intervention programme,” Abdullahi said.

The party alleged that the latest development was part of a pattern of financial irregularities surrounding social intervention programmes under the Federal Government.

The ADC recalled the controversy involving former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, who was suspended in January 2024 after the N585 million controversy involving a private account.

The party also referenced the suspension of the former National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Programme Agency, Halima Shehu, following allegations surrounding the management of N37.1 billion in social investment funds.

According to the ADC, the latest audit finding involving N33.75 billion further underscores the need for a thorough investigation into the government’s social intervention programmes.

The party also questioned the Federal Government’s decision to launch a new $1 billion Renewed Hope Social Protection Programme despite what it described as unresolved accountability concerns surrounding previous interventions.

“Given the familiar history, we are in no doubt that even in the unlikely event that this latest intervention is ever implemented, it would end up like the others before it: another racket,” Abdullahi said.

The ADC further linked the growing need for government cash transfers to the economic policies of the Tinubu administration, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy and the naira’s devaluation.

The party argued that the policies had increased the cost of transportation, food and other basic necessities, leaving more Nigerians dependent on government assistance.

“This is a government that manufactured hardship with one hand and pocketed the relief with the other. Fuel prices up. Transport costs up. Food prices up. And the one programme meant to soften the blow turns out to be a black hole. Enough is enough,” the party said.

The ADC called for a full investigation into the cash transfer programme and demanded the immediate publication of the complete beneficiary register.

It also asked the government to release the REMITA payment trail and the names of officials who allegedly obstructed the work of the Auditor-General.

The party maintained that Nigerians deserve transparency over how funds earmarked for vulnerable households are disbursed and accounted for.