The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has accused the Federal Government of deceiving Nigerians with its claim that more than 15 million poor and vulnerable households benefited from the conditional cash transfer programme.
In a statement released on Wednesday in Abuja, HURIWA labelled the claim by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, as “criminally deceptive and unverifiable.” The group alleged that the Ministry of Finance was engaging in propaganda aimed at creating a false sense of compassion amid rising poverty and economic hardship.
HURIWA said it was troubling that the Ministry of Finance, and not the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, was taking credit for distributing billions of naira to poor Nigerians. It questioned why the finance minister had “suddenly assumed the role of Father Christmas” without presenting any verifiable data or list of beneficiaries.
According to HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, “This claim by Mr. Wale Edun is unsubstantiated, unverifiable, insulting, and grossly irresponsible. Nigerians are not fools. We live with the poor daily, and no one in the real world has ever testified to receiving these so-called transfers. If 15 million households truly benefited, where are they? Where are their identities, localities, or any independent verification of this payout of peanuts?”
The association recalled that under former Finance Minister Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, all federal allocations to states and local governments were transparently published in national dailies, allowing citizens to track public funds. HURIWA maintained that there was no justification for secrecy in a digital era where information could be easily shared.
“If the Ministry of Finance truly made these payments, it should publish the full list of beneficiaries on its official website,” the group demanded. “Each local government’s beneficiaries should be listed with their National Identification Numbers and payment details. Nigerians are not asking for too much—just transparency.”
HURIWA also expressed concern that the Ministry of Finance appeared to be usurping the functions of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, raising suspicions of possible financial manipulation and executive recklessness.
The association further accused the finance minister of poor budget implementation, lamenting that the 2025 budget had yet to be executed. “Virtually every government agency has not received a penny as part of the capital components of the budget,” HURIWA said. “The Chief Economic Adviser recently claimed that the 2025 budget will begin implementation in September 2025. What kind of voodoo economy is Tinubu’s government running?”
The group alleged that key ministries, departments, and agencies were struggling to operate, with some relying on borrowed funds to run their offices. “Some agencies like INEC have no capital allocations for 2025. Many federal civil servants are owed salaries and now live like destitute and beggars,” it stated.
HURIWA criticised what it called the “extravagant spending” of government officials, citing the First Lady’s alleged distribution of “unbudgeted billions” and the president’s son’s “public showmanship” during Ramadan. “While citizens suffer, those in power flaunt wealth and engage in reckless spending,” the statement said.
The group also questioned why the Finance Ministry was carrying out social welfare programmes, a duty clearly assigned to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs. “This confusion reflects a lack of seriousness about institutional accountability,” it noted. “The Ministry of Finance’s job is fiscal management, not charity. This cross-ministerial interference reeks of corruption and deceit.”
HURIWA urged Nigerians to demand verifiable evidence of the cash transfers, citing the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, which grants citizens the right to know how public funds are spent. It pointed out that no credible independent agency, including the National Social Safety Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO), had confirmed such disbursements.
“When N330 billion is said to have been distributed, Nigerians have every right to ask for proof,” the statement continued. “Without transparency, this programme remains a conduit for corruption. We call for an immediate forensic audit of all cash transfer claims under the Ministry of Finance.”
The association concluded by warning that unless the Federal Government publishes detailed records of beneficiaries, it has no moral ground to preach accountability or patriotism.
“Nigeria cannot continue to run on lies and deceit,” HURIWA said. “The people are suffering, and instead of genuine relief, they are fed recycled falsehoods by officials who are out of touch with reality. Enough is enough.”
