The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has made a startling claim that the Federal Government has disbursed ₦75,000 each to over 10 million Nigerians across the country under the conditional cash transfer programme of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction. This claim, made in Maiduguri, has sparked widespread interest and scrutiny. According to Yilwatda, these beneficiaries are poor and vulnerable individuals who do not have access to modern communication channels.
The total sum disbursed, based on Yilwatda's claim, amounts to over ₦750 billion, a staggering figure that has raised eyebrows among Nigerians. The APC chairman asserted that these individuals, despite being poor and vulnerable, are not reachable through conventional means as they do not own telephones, use social media, or watch television. This assertion has led to questions about the verifiability of the claim and the criteria used to identify the beneficiaries.
The issue of government accountability and transparency has been a recurring theme in Nigeria, with various authors and scholars exploring the implications of government lies and falsehoods. Professor Helen Norton, a constitutional law expert, has written extensively on the subject, noting that government lies can have devastating consequences, including inflicting economic and reputational harm.
The APC chairman's claim has drawn parallels with literary works that explore the theme of lies and deception. For instance, Scott Lynch's novel, The Lies of Locke Lamora, features a protagonist who is a master of disguise and deception, targeting the wealthy in a fantasy city. Similarly, Fatima Bala's novel, The Lies We Tell, explores the complexities of lies and deception in Northern Nigeria.
Experts in psychology and sociology have noted that adults lie for various reasons, including self-protection and to maintain social relationships. In the context of Yilwatda's claim, it remains to be seen whether the government will provide evidence to support the assertion and clarify the criteria used to identify the beneficiaries.
The Federal Government has previously made claims about its social intervention programmes, including cash transfers to vulnerable households. However, the government has faced criticism for the lack of transparency and accountability in the implementation of these programmes.
The APC chairman's claim has sparked a national conversation about government accountability, transparency, and the need for verifiable evidence to support claims of this nature. As Nigerians continue to scrutinize the claim, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to the growing demand for transparency and accountability.
Key points
- APC National Chairman claims 10 million Nigerians received ₦75,000 each from FG
- Total sum disbursed amounts to over ₦750 billion
- Claim sparks concerns about government accountability and transparency
