Atiku Abubakar to Probe ₦33.75bn Cash Transfer Scheme

Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has pledged to form an independent team of experts to investigate ₦33.75 billion that was reportedly allocated to 3.29 million vulnerable Nigerian households. This commitment follows an audit report that raised concerns about whether the funds reached the intended beneficiaries.

In a statement from his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku criticized the government's handling of the situation, highlighting that the amount distributed per household was approximately ₦10,258. He condemned the administration of President Bola Tinubu for failing to provide a coherent account of the funds disbursed, noting discrepancies in the number of households reported to have benefited.

Atiku commended Auditor-General Shaakaa Chira for prioritizing accountability over political convenience. He pointed out that significant portions of the funds, including ₦36.74 billion paid without pre-payment audits and ₦4.62 billion lacking payment vouchers, have not withstood scrutiny.