In a document leaked on September 18, 2023, Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, conveyed the approval to utilize N3,000,000,000.00 (Three Billion Naira) from the Covid-19 Palliative Fund for verifying the National Social Register.
The approval has sparked controversy as Nigerians question the allocation and its connection to the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu.
Truth Live News gathered that the approved fund, meant for COVID-19 relief, has raised eyebrows due to its substantial amount and its diversion towards the verification of the National Social Register. Critics argue that the fund should be exclusively reserved for pandemic-related initiatives, not administrative processes.
The timing of the approval also raised suspicions, with Tinubu’s Chief of Staff now under investigation for authorizing the expenditure. This has fueled speculation about whether the suspended minister is merely a scapegoat in a broader government misappropriation of funds.
Nigerians are expressing concern over potential corruption, demanding transparency and accountability from the government. The investigation into Tinubu’s Chief of Staff’s role in approving the substantial amount from the palliative fund adds another layer of complexity to the situation.