The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has described the Federal Government’s newly announced $1 billion social protection programme as a response to its presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar’s proposal for a targeted production subsidy.
The opposition party said the initiative, introduced by the Bola Tinubu administration, appeared to acknowledge the need for measures to protect Nigerians from the economic hardship associated with recent government reforms.
Atiku had recently proposed a targeted and limited subsidy programme aimed at supporting domestic production and refining while reducing pressure on the cost of living. His proposal included calls for transparency, independent auditing and clear budgetary limits.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC questioned the timing of the Federal Government’s social protection initiative, particularly with the 2027 general elections approaching.
The party argued that Nigerians had spent the past three years dealing with rising food, transportation and energy costs as well as declining purchasing power.
According to the ADC, the government had previously maintained that there were limited resources available to cushion citizens from the effects of its economic reforms but has now announced a $1 billion intervention.
The party therefore questioned why such a large-scale intervention was being introduced at this stage.
ADC Questions Funding and Accountability
The opposition party also raised questions about the funding and administration of the programme.
ADC specifically demanded clarification on the source of the $1 billion, the budgetary provision under which the funds were approved and the institution responsible for managing and accounting for the money.
It also questioned the role of First Lady Oluremi Tinubu in unveiling the initiative, asking what her formal role would be in the administration and implementation of a Federal Government programme involving such a substantial amount of public funds.
The party said the concerns were necessary because programmes financed with public money should be subjected to appropriate oversight, auditing and accountability mechanisms.
Party Demands Details on Previous Cash Transfers
The ADC further called on the government to provide verifiable information concerning previous social intervention programmes.
The party referred to claims that more than N600 billion had been distributed through cash-transfer programmes to more than 10 million households over the past three years.
It demanded details of the beneficiaries, the amounts received, how beneficiaries were selected and the measurable impact of the previous interventions.
The party also called for independent verification of the figures and stronger safeguards to prevent duplication, exclusion or diversion of funds.
ADC maintained that any new social protection programme should have clear eligibility requirements, a credible system for identifying beneficiaries, transparent disbursement procedures and independent monitoring.
The opposition party said the government’s latest initiative should address the underlying economic difficulties facing Nigerians rather than serve as a temporary intervention.
It further maintained that economic reforms must be accompanied by measures that protect citizens and support productive activity, arguing that this was the principle behind Atiku’s proposed targeted production subsidy.
