By Myke Uzendu
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has described the Federal Government’s proposed $1 billion social protection programme as a reaction to its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar’s proposal for a targeted production subsidy to reduce the cost of living.
The party accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of worsening economic hardship through what it described as failed policies, alleging that the government was now attempting to win back Nigerians with palliatives ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC questioned the timing, funding and implementation structure of the programme, particularly the role of First Lady Oluremi Tinubu in its unveiling.
The party said Nigerians had endured rising food, transportation and energy costs for three years while the government maintained that there were insufficient resources to cushion the effects of its economic reforms.
“Now that elections are approaching, it has suddenly found $1 billion for the poor. If the government could somehow conjure up this money, why did it remain indifferent to the suffering of Nigerians for three years?” the party asked.
The ADC said the Federal Government’s decision to introduce measures aimed at protecting Nigerians from the impact of economic reforms vindicated Atiku’s position on targeted production subsidies.
According to the party, the government had previously rejected Atiku’s proposal and insisted that subsidies were no longer sustainable.
“Yet, almost immediately, it has announced a billion-dollar programme to support Nigerians from the consequences of its evil policies,” the statement said.
The opposition party also questioned the effectiveness of previous government social intervention programmes, citing the Humanitarian Affairs Ministry’s claim that more than N600 billion had been disbursed through cash transfers to slightly more than 10 million households over three years.
It demanded evidence of the beneficiaries and measurable outcomes of the expenditure, as well as independent verification of the figures.
The ADC further expressed concern over the absence of what it described as a robust and verifiable social register and alleged mismanagement of social intervention programmes.
The party said the proposed one-off N40,000 “shock-response payment” to families could amount to vote buying if not transparently administered.
