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Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has questioned the Federal Government's claims on its cash transfer programme, alleging inconsistencies in the number of beneficiaries and the amount reportedly disbursed.
In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said conflicting figures released by the Tinubu administration have raised serious concerns about the credibility of the programme.
He noted that the Presidency announced on July 16 and again on August 2, 2026, that expanded cash transfers had reached 15 million vulnerable households, but the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs later stated on August 26 that only "slightly over 10 million households" had benefited.
According to Atiku, the discrepancy leaves unanswered questions about what happened to the reported five million households, describing the conflicting figures as contradictory.
The former vice president also questioned the financial calculations behind the programme, noting that with each household expected to receive ₦25,000 monthly for three months, 10 million households would require about ₦750 billion, while 15 million households would cost over ₦1.1 trillion.
He argued that the government's claim of spending just over ₦600 billion does not align with the announced beneficiary figures and called for clarification on how many households received one, two or all three payment tranches.
Atiku further urged the government to publish details of verified beneficiaries, payment records, failed transactions, reversals, state-by-state distribution and an independent audit of the programme.
He also criticised the Tinubu administration's economic policies, arguing that rising fuel prices and increased transportation costs have worsened poverty and expanded the number of Nigerians requiring government assistance.
The ADC presidential candidate said his proposed economic approach would focus on reducing fuel and transportation costs to ease inflationary pressures rather than relying on cash transfers after households have fallen into hardship.
Atiku maintained that until the Federal Government reconciles the conflicting figures and provides verifiable evidence of the payments, Nigerians will continue to demand greater transparency and accountability over the programme.
