African Democratic Congress calls for investigation into N33.75 billion social intervention payments flagged by Auditor-General amid concerns over beneficiary verification records.
The African Democratic Congress has called for a comprehensive investigation into N33.75 billion in social intervention payments flagged by the Auditor-General for the Federation, citing concerns over the verification of beneficiaries and payment records.
In its 2024 report on non-compliance and internal control weaknesses across federal ministries, departments and agencies, the Office of the Auditor-General disclosed that electronic payments 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 failed to provide a Remita statement showing the beneficiaries who received the funds.
According to the Auditor-General, the absence of the statement prevented proper verification of the transactions and made it difficult to establish whether the recipients were legitimate beneficiaries.
The report also said attempts to obtain the Remita statement were “obstructed and denied” by accounts personnel at the National Cash Transfer Office.
Reacting to the findings in a statement on Monday, ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, accused the Federal Government of operating what he described as an “organised racket” through its social intervention programme.
Abdullahi alleged that the All Progressives Congress-led administration was diverting funds meant to support Nigerians facing severe economic hardship.
He said the N33.75 billion flagged by the Auditor-General should not be viewed in isolation but investigated alongside previous controversies surrounding the management of social intervention funds.
The ADC spokesman cited the N585 million allegedly transferred to a private account during the tenure of Betta Edu as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
He also referenced the controversy surrounding N44 billion reportedly missing from the National Social Investment Programme Agency during the tenure of Halima Shehu, a former national coordinator of the programme.
Abdullahi further questioned the launch of the Federal Government’s $1 billion Renewed Hope Social Protection Programme, arguing that any expansion of the initiative must be backed by transparent processes and verifiable beneficiary records.
He therefore called on the government to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the flagged payments.
The ADC spokesman also demanded the publication of the beneficiary register and Remita transaction records, as well as the identification of officials allegedly responsible for preventing the Auditor-General’s office from verifying the disbursements.