The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has accused President Bola Tinubu of using the Federal Government’s proposed N50,000 monthly cash relief as an election gimmick
This is as the party alleged that the initiative is aimed at regaining public support ahead of the 2027 general election.
The opposition party described the announcement as a desperate attempt to win back Nigerians alienated by the administration’s economic policies, questioning why the government waited until the election season to introduce the intervention.
In a statement issued on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC alleged that the proposed payment was prompted by the party’s campaign promise to tackle the rising cost of living and restore Nigerians’ purchasing power.
The party said the Tinubu administration had announced several relief measures since taking office, but accused it of failing to translate many of the promises into tangible benefits for ordinary Nigerians.
Abdullahi cited the proposed $1bn Renewed Hope Social Intervention Fund announced in August, a 30-day fuel discount, cheaper transportation promised across states from October 1, and a N70,000 transportation allowance for workers.
He argued that the latest N50,000 cash relief was another attempt by the government to respond to mounting public dissatisfaction rather than a carefully designed social protection policy.
“At best, this is an election gimmick designed to deceive Nigerians into believing that a government which has neglected them for more than three years suddenly cares about their welfare. At worst, it could become another scheme to siphon public funds under the convenient cover of poverty alleviation,” the statement added.
“President Tinubu is in full panic mode now. Since the ADC and our Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, have made affordability and reducing the cost of living the cardinal focus of our campaign, the government has been announcing one desperate intervention or another,” he said.
“What exactly is N50,000 supposed to buy in Tinubu’s Nigeria today? How much food can a family purchase with that amount? How much transport can it cover? And for how long?” the statement queried.
The ADC maintained that the government should have incorporated targeted financial assistance into its economic reform programme from the beginning rather than introduce cash relief measures after Nigerians had endured years of hardship.
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