The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised the Federal Government’s proposed N50,000 monthly cash transfer programme for vulnerable Nigerians, describing it as an election gimmick aimed at restoring President Bola Tinubu’s declining public support ahead of the 2027 general election.
The opposition party accused the Tinubu administration of introducing the intervention in response to growing public concerns about the rising cost of living, arguing that the government had failed to adequately address the economic hardship associated with its policies.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC questioned the timing of the announcement and accused the government of repeatedly introducing relief measures without delivering on previous promises.
According to the party, the latest cash transfer initiative reflects the administration’s reaction to the opposition’s campaign focus on affordability, economic hardship and reducing the cost of living.
ADC Questions Tinubu Government’s Previous Relief Programmes
Abdullahi alleged that the Federal Government had announced several economic relief measures in recent months but had failed to deliver on some of them.
He cited the proposed $1 billion Renewed Hope Social Intervention Fund announced in August, a 30-day fuel discount, cheaper transportation initiatives expected to begin on October 1, and a N70,000 transportation allowance for workers.
The ADC spokesperson argued that the latest N50,000 monthly cash transfer announcement was another attempt by the administration to respond to public dissatisfaction.
“President Tinubu is in full panic mode now. Since the ADC and our Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, have made affordability and reducing the cost of living the cardinal focus of our campaign, the government has been announcing one desperate intervention or another,” Abdullahi said.
He alleged that the government had failed to implement some of its previously announced measures, adding that the latest programme raised questions about the administration’s approach to economic relief.
The party maintained that Nigerians needed effective policies that would reduce the cost of essential goods and services rather than repeated announcements of financial assistance.
ADC Questions Purchasing Power of N50,000 Monthly Stipend
The opposition party also questioned whether the proposed N50,000 monthly payment would provide meaningful relief to vulnerable households facing rising food prices, transportation expenses and healthcare costs.
According to the ADC, the amount may offer limited assistance given the increase in the cost of living and the pressure on household incomes.
“What exactly is N50,000 supposed to buy in Tinubu’s Nigeria today? How much food can a family purchase with that amount? How much transport can it cover? And for how long?” the party asked.
The ADC further claimed that petrol prices had increased roughly sevenfold, arguing that higher fuel costs had contributed to rising transportation and food expenses.
It described the cash transfer programme as an attempt to regain public goodwill, insisting that the intervention would not adequately address the economic difficulties confronting Nigerians.
The party argued that sustainable improvements in living standards would require broader economic measures capable of easing the cost of essential goods and services.
Party Accuses Tinubu Administration of Economic Mismanagement
The ADC accused the Tinubu administration of mismanaging its economic reforms and disregarding warnings about the potential consequences of its policies for ordinary Nigerians.
It argued that financial support for vulnerable households should have been incorporated into the government’s economic reform plans from the outset rather than introduced later as a separate intervention.
“They mismanaged their own economic reforms. Everyone warned them that what they were doing and how they were doing it would only make life difficult for the people. Their only reaction for three years was to tell the people to continue to endure,” Abdullahi said.
The party questioned why the government had not provided the proposed financial assistance earlier if it considered the intervention necessary to protect vulnerable Nigerians from economic hardship.
It also alleged that the timing of the announcement raised concerns about whether political considerations were influencing the administration’s approach to social welfare.
The ADC maintained that effective economic policies should prioritise the welfare of citizens and provide adequate protection for households affected by rising living costs.
ADC Raises Transparency Concerns Over Cash Transfers
Beyond questioning the programme’s timing and economic impact, the ADC raised concerns about transparency and accountability in the management of government intervention funds.
The party referred to findings attributed to the Auditor-General concerning previous cash transfer programmes, particularly funds that it said could not be properly accounted for.
It demanded to know whether officials responsible for the alleged financial irregularities had been held accountable before the government embarked on another programme involving public funds.
“What has happened to the findings of the Auditor-General concerning the billions of naira in previous cash transfers that could not be properly accounted for? Have those responsible been held accountable?” the party asked.
The opposition party argued that the government needed to provide satisfactory explanations about previous interventions to build public confidence in the new initiative.
It warned that without effective oversight and transparent implementation, the latest programme could face similar accountability concerns.
The ADC called for greater scrutiny of the government’s social intervention programmes, insisting that public funds intended to support vulnerable Nigerians must reach their intended beneficiaries.
FG Announces N50,000 Monthly Relief Programme for Vulnerable Nigerians
The Federal Government had earlier announced the commencement of a N50,000 monthly cash relief programme for vulnerable Nigerians under the National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI).
According to the announcement by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, the initiative is intended to provide immediate financial assistance to beneficiaries, helping them meet essential needs and cope with the rising cost of living.
The programme comes amid continuing public concerns about the affordability of food, transportation, healthcare and other basic necessities.
However, the ADC has questioned the government’s motives, the adequacy of the proposed payments and the transparency of the implementation process.
The party’s criticism also comes as political parties position themselves ahead of the 2027 general election, with affordability and the cost of living emerging as major issues in the political debate.
While the Federal Government has presented the programme as a relief measure for vulnerable Nigerians, the ADC insists that the administration must demonstrate that the intervention will deliver meaningful assistance and that public funds will be properly accounted for.