The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has faulted the Federal Government’s $1 billion social protection programme, describing the intervention as an admission that Nigerians are struggling with the impact of the administration’s economic reforms.
The opposition party also questioned the timing and transparency of the initiative, coming less than a year to the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said Nigerians had endured significant increases in the cost of food, transportation and energy since the government introduced its economic reforms.
The party said the administration was now seeking to cushion the effects of policies it had previously defended, despite earlier warnings from its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
Abdullahi recalled Atiku’s proposal for a targeted production subsidy to lower production costs and ease pressure on consumers, saying the proposal was rejected by the government.
“This is precisely what our Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has been saying in proposing a targeted production subsidy to bring down the cost of living,” he said.
The ADC also demanded clarification over the government’s handling of cash transfers, alleging that more than N600 billion had been disbursed to slightly over 10 million households within the last three years.
It challenged the government to disclose the identities or details of beneficiaries, demonstrate the impact of the payments and explain the process through which recipients were selected.
The party also raised questions about the social register used to administer the interventions, suggesting that its credibility needed to be independently established.
Of particular concern to the ADC was the proposed N40,000 payment described by the government as a “shock-response payment”.
The party warned that the measure could be perceived as an attempt to influence voters ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
“A government whose so-called reform has destroyed purchasing power through higher food, fuel, transport and energy costs, cannot now return with a one-off N40,000 per family, which it cynically tagged ‘shock-response payment’,” the party said.
Beyond the payments, the ADC questioned the institutional framework behind the $1 billion programme, particularly the role of First Lady Oluremi Tinubu in unveiling the initiative.
It asked the government to state who authorised the funds, the budgetary provision under which they were made available and which ministry, department or agency would be responsible for implementation and accountability.
“Where does the First Lady fit in within the official organogram of government?” the party asked.
The ADC said it was not opposed to genuine measures aimed at protecting poor and vulnerable Nigerians, but maintained that palliatives could not replace economic policies that would restore household purchasing power and stimulate domestic production.
It argued that sustainable relief would require the government to address the factors driving the rising cost of living rather than rely on temporary cash interventions.
“If the Tinubu administration has suddenly discovered that Nigerians need protection from the cost of its failed reforms, then perhaps the first thing it should do is admit that Atiku was right: reform without relief is not courage; it is cruelty,” the party said.
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