The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has rejected the explanation offered by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, regarding the Federal Government's claim that over ₦600 billion was distributed to 10 million vulnerable Nigerians through a conditional cash transfer programme. HURIWA considers the explanation inadequate and incapable of resolving fundamental questions surrounding the reported expenditure.
HURIWA Chairman, comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, stated that the central issue is not whether poor Nigerians have access to smartphones or social media, but rather, where are the records showing that over 10 million households actually received the reported ₦600 billion? He demanded that the Federal Government publish a comprehensive and independently verifiable breakdown of the programme, including the number of beneficiaries in each state and local government, selection criteria, payment amounts, and transfer channels.
The association expressed concern over conflicting accounts emerging from different parts of the country, with some states confirming beneficiaries while others reported no clear records of payments. HURIWA insisted that the Federal Government must distinguish between different social intervention programmes operated under successive administrations and provide a consolidated account of what was disbursed under the Renewed Hope Conditional Cash Transfer Programme.
HURIWA found it curious that the government invoked the supposed absence of mobile phones and social media among beneficiaries when Nigeria has an extensive telecommunications network and the cash-transfer programme relies on identifiable beneficiary databases, bank accounts, NIN, and BVN verification, and electronic payment channels. The association challenges the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, the National Cash Transfer Office, and relevant state agencies to come clean on the reported ₦600 billion expenditure.
The association demanded answers to several questions, including how many households were actually paid, how much was paid to each household, and what was the source and composition of the beneficiary register. HURIWA stressed that these are legitimate accountability questions concerning public funds and should not be dismissed as political attacks.
HURIWA called for the publication of an anonymised beneficiary database, payment records, and state-by-state expenditure breakdown, with sensitive personal information protected. The association also called on the National Assembly and relevant anti-corruption and public accountability institutions to examine the reported expenditure and establish whether the amount claimed by government corresponds with verifiable payments to legitimate beneficiaries.
Poverty cannot be used as a shield against transparency, and the poorest Nigerians deserve social protection and a government whose intervention programmes can be independently accounted for. HURIWA urges the Federal Government to stop the blame game and provide Nigerians with evidence behind the ₦600 billion cash-transfer claim.
Key points
- HURIWA demands comprehensive breakdown of ₦600bn cash transfer programme.
- Association questions government's explanation on beneficiaries' access to mobile phones and social media.
- HURIWA calls for publication of anonymised beneficiary database and payment records.
