SERAP Cautions Federal Government Against Turning ₦50,000 Relief Scheme Into Political Tool Ahead of 2027.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued a strong warning to the federal government over its ₦50,000 relief programme, urging that the initiative must not be politicised as the country moves toward the 2027 general elections. In a Freedom of Information request dated November 7, addressed to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard Doro, the rights organisation demanded full transparency regarding the National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI).

SERAP specifically asked the ministry to publish comprehensive details about the programme, including its funding sources, eligibility requirements, how beneficiaries are selected, the geographical areas covered, and the payment arrangements. The organisation stressed that public assistance must be distributed strictly based on genuine need and objective criteria—not used to reward political supporters, secure partisan loyalty, or influence the voting choices of vulnerable Nigerians.

"Publicly funded social assistance must be allocated strictly on the basis of genuine need and objective eligibility criteria. It must not be used to reward political supporters, secure partisan loyalty, finance political mobilisation or influence the electoral choices of vulnerable Nigerians, particularly ahead of the 2027 general elections," SERAP stated.

The group also warned that beneficiaries should never be pressured to attend political rallies, support candidates, or display political materials in exchange for the money. According to SERAP, NERSI is a government programme funded by public resources—not a personal gift from any officeholder or political party.

SERAP further raised concerns over reports that some Nigerians who received notifications of the ₦50,000 payment were unable to withdraw the funds, while others were told they were not eligible. The organisation said these complaints raise serious questions about the accuracy of the beneficiary verification process, the reliability of payment channels, and how failed transactions and wrongful exclusions are being handled. It called on the ministry to urgently investigate these issues, publish its findings, and ensure all eligible beneficiaries receive the assistance meant for them.

The group also requested disclosure of agreements with digital financial service providers handling the payments, including ALAT, MoMo PSB, NairaGram, OPay and Moniepoint, asking for details of their roles, fees and performance. SERAP sought clarification on whether the ₦50,000 would be paid once or monthly, noting that the ministry's October 30 announcement described it as a monthly intervention, while subsequent FAQs did not clearly establish the frequency and duration.

Additionally, SERAP called for an anonymised breakdown of beneficiaries and payments by state and local government area, as well as details on how the National Social Register and national identity records would be used to identify recipients. It urged the minister to invite the ICPC and EFCC to monitor the programme's implementation and expenditure.

The organisation said its demand was particularly important given concerns raised by the Auditor-General of the Federation over more than ₦78.8bn in public funds allegedly diverted or unaccounted for in social intervention and cash transfer programmes, including ₦33.751bn in 2023 cash transfers lacking supporting documents for audit.

SERAP gave the ministry seven days to provide the requested information and take the proposed measures, warning that it would consider legal action if authorities failed to respond. The group emphasised that transparency and independent oversight are necessary to ensure the intervention reaches vulnerable Nigerians and is protected from corruption, misappropriation and partisan influence.