Atiku Abubakar to Investigate ₦33.75bn Cash Transfers

Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), announced his intention to conduct an independent investigation into ₦33.75 billion disbursed to 3.29 million vulnerable households under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration. He aims to verify whether the funds reached the intended beneficiaries and to trace the disbursement process.

This decision follows an audit report that raised concerns about the government's cash-transfer program. Atiku noted that the amount translates to approximately ₦10,258 per household, prompting questions about the actual beneficiaries.

He proposed forming a team of financial experts, auditors, and public-accounting professionals to trace the funds. Atiku criticized the government's claims regarding the social intervention program, highlighting discrepancies in beneficiary numbers and payments.

He commended Auditor-General Shaakaa Chira for questioning the transactions and emphasized the need for independent scrutiny. Atiku also called for the recovery of any misallocated funds and prosecution of those responsible for misappropriation.