Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has promised to establish an independent team of experts to investigate the disbursement of ₦33.75 billion reportedly paid to 3.29 million vulnerable Nigerian households.
Atiku’s pledge follows concerns raised over the Federal Government’s cash-transfer programme and questions surrounding whether the funds reportedly earmarked for beneficiaries reached their intended recipients.
The former vice president said the issue required an independent investigation rather than political explanations.
Atiku Questions Cash Transfer Programme
The ₦33.75 billion figure relates to reported payments made under the Federal Government’s social intervention programme.
Atiku said concerns raised by an audit report required the government to provide greater transparency regarding the beneficiaries and actual disbursement of the funds.
He has described the programme as an area requiring serious scrutiny and accountability.
Independent Team To Trace Funds
Atiku said that if elected president in 2027, his administration would establish a team of independent experts to trace the funds and determine how the money was distributed.
The proposed investigation would examine the payment records, beneficiary information and mechanisms used to deliver the funds.
The objective, according to the former vice president, would be to establish whether the reported beneficiaries actually received the money.
Cash Transfers Remain A Political Issue
The Federal Government’s cash-transfer programme has become an important part of the political debate surrounding President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies.
Supporters of the programme have argued that direct payments provide assistance to vulnerable Nigerians affected by economic hardship.
Opposition figures, however, have repeatedly questioned the transparency, coverage and effectiveness of the scheme.
Atiku’s latest promise adds the issue to his growing list of proposed investigations and reforms ahead of the 2027 election.
Audit Questions And Accountability
The existence of an audit query does not by itself establish that funds were stolen or that beneficiaries did not receive payments.
Rather, the issue raises questions requiring clarification through documentation and verification.
Atiku’s proposed investigation would therefore seek to establish the actual movement of the funds and whether the programme achieved its stated objective.