National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, has disclosed that over 10 million Nigerians who benefited from the Federal Government's ₦75,000 conditional cash transfer programme lack access to communication devices and platforms. This revelation was made during a press conference following a three-day retreat of the APC National Executive Council in Maiduguri, Borno State. Yilwatda described these beneficiaries as poor and vulnerable Nigerians.
According to Yilwatda, the beneficiaries were largely unable to participate in public debates about government policies due to their lack of access to communication devices and platforms. He stated that they do not have mobile phones to make calls, are not on social media, and do not have television sets. This limitation hinders their ability to engage in discussions about government policies and programmes.
The APC chairman further explained that the ₦75,000 cash transfer was provided to over 10 million Nigerians across the country under the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction. He emphasized that these individuals are poor and vulnerable, and therefore, cannot participate in public debates like those held in the media.
Yilwatda also criticized former Vice President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, over his position on fuel subsidy. He argued that the removal of subsidy had freed resources for infrastructure development and other government programmes across the country. This, according to Yilwatda, has led to the construction of roads and payment of workers' salaries and pensions.
The removal of fuel subsidy has also improved the ability of state governments to pay salaries and pensions. Yilwatda stated that over 30 states could not pay salaries and pensions before the subsidy removal, but now all states can pay without any issues. He emphasized that restoring the subsidy would negatively impact the government's student loan scheme and other ongoing projects.
Yilwatda accused Atiku of seeking to reverse the gains of the Tinubu administration in pursuit of the presidency. He stated that the APC and Nigerians would not accept such a move. The APC chairman also reported that the party reviewed its activities at the national, state, local government, ward, and polling-unit levels during the NEC retreat.
The APC National Executive Council passed a vote of confidence in President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and other APC candidates who emerged from the party's primaries for the 2027 elections. Yilwatda expressed confidence in the party's preparedness for the 2027 general elections.
Key points
- Over 10m Nigerians lack phones, social media access despite receiving ₦75,000 cash aid.
- Fuel subsidy removal has freed resources for infrastructure development and improved state governments' ability to pay salaries and pensions.
- APC passes vote of confidence in President Tinubu, VP Shettima, and other party candidates.
