By BONIFACE AKARAH

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has demanded full disclosure of the Federal Government’s reported distribution of more than ₦600 billion to over 10 million vulnerable Nigerians under the conditional cash transfer programme.

In a press statement dated September 27, 2026, HURIWA National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, rejected the explanation offered by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, that many of the alleged beneficiaries do not own mobile phones, watch television or use social media.

HURIWA described the explanation as inadequate, arguing that the central question was whether the government could produce verifiable records showing that the reported funds actually reached the stated beneficiaries.

“The APC chairman cannot substitute a political explanation for documentary evidence,” the association said.

It asked the Federal Government to publish a comprehensive breakdown showing the number of beneficiaries in every state and local government, the criteria used for selecting them, amounts paid, dates of payment and channels through which the funds were transferred.

“The central issue is not whether poor Nigerians have access to smartphones or social media. The central issue is simple: Where are the records showing that more than 10 million households actually received the reported N600 billion?” HURIWA asked.

The association said It was particularly concerned by what it described as conflicting accounts emerging from different parts of the country.

According to HURIWA, while officials in some states have confirmed beneficiaries of various cash-transfer programmes, investigations have also produced accounts from states where residents and some government officials reportedly could not identify beneficiaries or establish clear records of the reported payments.

“This contradiction cannot simply be wished away,” the association stated.

HURIWA also called on the Federal Government to distinguish between different social intervention programmes operated under successive administrations and provide a consolidated account of what was actually disbursed under the Renewed Hope Conditional Cash Transfer Programme.

The association questioned the government’s reliance on the absence of mobile phones and social media among beneficiaries as an explanation for difficulties in independently verifying the payments.

It noted that the programme reportedly relies on beneficiary databases, bank accounts, NIN and BVN verification, as well as electronic payment channels.

“If these systems were used, then there should be an auditable trail,” HURIWA said.

The association challenged the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, National Cash Transfer Office, relevant state agencies and other institutions** involved in the programme to provide details of the reported expenditure.

Among other things, HURIWA wants the government to disclose how many households were actually paid, how much each household received, the number of beneficiaries captured in each state and local government, the source and composition of the beneficiary register, and how payments were verified.

It also asked the government to explain what independent mechanisms were used to prevent duplication, diversion and fraudulent claims.

HURIWA stressed that its demands should not be interpreted as an allegation that all beneficiaries reported by the government are fictitious.

“The association is not alleging that every beneficiary reported by government is fictitious,” the statement said, adding that public expenditure of such magnitude requires evidence capable of independent verification.

HURIWA consequently called for the publication of an anonymised beneficiary database, payment records and state-by-state expenditure breakdown, while protecting sensitive personal information.

It further urged the National Assembly and relevant anti-corruption and public accountability institutions to examine the reported expenditure and determine whether the amount claimed corresponds with verifiable payments to legitimate beneficiaries.

“Poverty cannot be used as a shield against transparency,” HURIWA said.

The association maintained that poor Nigerians deserve social protection but also deserve intervention programmes that can be independently accounted for.

HURIWA therefore urged the Federal Government to provide Nigerians with evidence supporting the reported N600 billion cash-transfer claim.