The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has demanded an investigation into the N33.75 billion cash transfers under the federal government’s social intervention programme flagged by the office of the auditor-general for the federation (OAuGF).
In its 2024 annual report on non-compliance and internal control weaknesses in federal ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), the OAuGF said electronic transfers totalling N33.751 billion were made to 3,295,207 households and beneficiaries across 35 states in 2023.
The report, submitted to the clerk of the national assembly on July 17, said the National Cash Transfer Office (NCTO) failed to provide a Remita statement showing the beneficiaries who received the payments.
According to the OAuGF, the absence of the statement “hindered the authentication of the payments and made it difficult to ascertain whether the beneficiaries who received the funds were genuine”.
The OAuGF added that efforts to obtain access to the Remita statement were “obstructed and denied” by NCTO accounts staff.
‘IT’S AN ORGANISED RACKET’
In a statement issued on Monday, Bolaji Abdullahi, ADC national publicity secretary, described the federal government’s social intervention programme as an “organised racket” and accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of stealing from Nigerians through the scheme.
He said the latest finding was troubling as the money was meant for millions of vulnerable households facing severe economic hardship.
Abdullahi said the N33.75 billion flagged by the auditor-general should be investigated alongside previous controversies surrounding the management of social intervention funds.
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