By Blessing Fali
The All Progressives Congress and opposition parties have clashed over the Federal Government’s $1bn Household Prosperity and Empowerment Social Protection Project, with the opposition alleging that the initiative is aimed at influencing voters ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The programme, launched in Abuja on Wednesday under the theme, “From Palliatives to Pathways,” is designed to support vulnerable households and help them move towards economic self-reliance.
The Federal Government said the initiative would target about 7.6 million vulnerable households, with eligible beneficiaries receiving a one-off digital shock-response payment of N40,000. Beneficiaries will be selected from the National Social Register and verified through their National Identification Numbers.
The programme was unveiled by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who said many families were still struggling despite the economic reforms being implemented by the President Bola Tinubu administration.
She said the initiative would provide immediate assistance to vulnerable households while creating opportunities for recovery, empowerment and self-reliance.
However, opposition parties, including the African Democratic Congress, questioned the timing of the programme, arguing that its launch ahead of the 2027 elections raised concerns about possible political motives.
The ADC asked why vulnerable Nigerians had become a major focus of government intervention at a time when their votes would soon become valuable.
The APC, however, dismissed the allegations, insisting that the government had a responsibility to continue implementing programmes aimed at improving the welfare of Nigerians regardless of the electoral calendar.
APC Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, said the intervention programmes had been in development before the 2027 election season and should not be viewed solely from a political perspective.
He maintained that the timing of the programme did not mean the government should suspend its responsibilities to citizens.
Meanwhile, former Vice President and ADC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has questioned the Federal Government’s figures on its expanded cash-transfer programme.
Atiku demanded clarification over conflicting claims about the number of vulnerable households that had benefited from the programme, as well as the amount of money reportedly disbursed.
He also called for the publication of detailed payment records and an independent audit to establish how the funds were distributed.
The controversy is expected to intensify as political parties begin preparations for the 2027 elections, with the APC defending the initiative as a social protection measure and opposition parties demanding greater transparency.
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