The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, has revealed that over 10 million vulnerable Nigerians who benefited from the Federal Government's N75,000 conditional cash transfer scheme do not have access to mobile phones and are absent from social media platforms. This disclosure was made during a press conference at the end of a three-day retreat of the APC's National Executive Council held in Maiduguri, Borno State capital. Yilwatda highlighted the challenges faced by these individuals, emphasizing their limited access to basic communication tools and media.
According to Yilwatda, the N75,000 cash transfer was part of the Federal Government's efforts to support vulnerable Nigerians, with over 10 million recipients across the country. The scheme was implemented under the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction. Yilwatda's comments underscored the realities of life for many Nigerians who live in poverty and lack access to basic necessities, including mobile phones and social media.
Yilwatda's statement was part of a broader defence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration, highlighting various achievements, including road construction, student loans, and humanitarian interventions. These initiatives, Yilwatda claimed, were funded partly from savings made from the removal of the fuel subsidy. He emphasized the administration's efforts to improve the lives of Nigerians, citing ongoing road construction projects across the country.
The APC chairman also discussed the outcome of the NEC retreat, where the party reviewed its structures nationwide and reaffirmed its readiness for the 2027 general election. The retreat included a thorough review of the party's performance at the national, state, local government, ward, and polling unit levels. Yilwatda expressed confidence in the party's preparedness for the upcoming elections.
During the retreat, the NEC passed a vote of confidence in President Tinubu as the party's presidential candidate, his running mate, Kashim Shettima, and all other APC candidates who emerged from the 2027 primary elections. The council also directed state chapters yet to set up reconciliation committees to do so, as part of efforts to unite the party ahead of the polls.
Yilwatda extended condolences to Niger State over the deaths of 37 miners in the state, expressing sympathy to the people of Niger State, the government, and the families of the victims. The NEC also commended Nigerians for their support so far, while appealing for continued backing to secure Tinubu a second term in the 2027 general election.
The APC chairman emphasized the party's commitment to leading the campaign from the front, with members mandated to publicize Tinubu's achievements across the country ahead of 2027. This approach aims to consolidate the party's gains from previous elections and ensure a strong showing in the upcoming polls.
Key points
- Over 10 million Nigerians received N75,000 cash transfer without phones or social media access.
- APC Chairman Yilwatda defends President Tinubu's administration, citing road construction, student loans, and humanitarian interventions as achievements.
- APC reaffirms readiness for 2027 general election, passes vote of confidence in President Tinubu and other party candidates.
