In a press statement issued on Friday and jointly signed by Ismail Olawale, CPA Executive Director and Arthur Nwakanma, CPA Publicity Secretary, the group berated the Presidency for criticising Mr Femi Falana (SAN), who questioned the justification of the distribution of the fund to solve COVID-19 effects, two years after the world had moved on from the pandemic.
The Centre for Public Accountability (CPA) has urged President Bola Tinubu to provide more information on how the N135 billion distributed to 36 state governments in December to combat the COVID-19 pandemic was used to address the country's socioeconomic crises.
In a press statement issued on Friday and jointly signed by Ismail Olawale, CPA Executive Director and Arthur Nwakanma, CPA Publicity Secretary, the group berated the Presidency for criticising Mr Femi Falana (SAN), who questioned the justification of the distribution of the fund to solve COVID-19 effects, two years after the world had moved on from the pandemic.
Mr Falana, during his speech at the memorial lecture held by the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) in Lagos on Sunday, February 12, 2024, demanded accountability in respect of the huge funds gained from the removal of fuel subsidy which had led to lavish spending by the Tinubu government.
Reacting, Mr. Temitope Ajayi, a Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity accused Falana of “misrepresentation of facts.”
However, he turned around to confirm the disbursement when he said, “In a bid to further manage the aftermath of Covid-19 in line with the framework of the WHO and the World Bank, the Federal Government, in December 2023, disbursed N135.4billion to the states following Independent Assessment of results achieved under the Nigeria Covid-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus Programme.”
The Centre for Policy Intervention in Africa (CEPIA) accused the government of failing to address the major issues identified by the human rights lawyer, but instead resorting to name-calling and character assassination.
The group noted that the diversionary technique does not minimise the pressing issues raised by Falana, such as the waste of public monies and the nation's deteriorating state.
The group’s statement reads: “It is regrettable that Ajayi chose to deflect rather than address the substantive points raised by Falana.
“The issues surrounding the disbursement of N135 billion for COVID-19 in December 2023 and the subsequent allocation of N1.7 trillion to the three tiers of government demand transparency and accountability. Falana rightfully questions why, despite these significant funds, issues like insecurity, unemployment, hunger, and poverty persist and worsen.
“Moreover, the acknowledgement by Ajayi that N135 billion was distributed for COVID-19 in December 2023 raises concerns about the timing and impact of these funds. The public deserves clarity on how these funds were utilized to alleviate poverty, hardship, unemployment, and infrastructural deficits, as promised by the President.
“Nigerians are facing escalating challenges, including inflation, high living costs, and stagnant salaries. The government's responsibility is to assure citizens with transparent plans, accountability, and immediate actions to improve their lives, rather than resorting to insensitive statements. Criticisms from objective voices like Femi Falana should be heeded, not dismissed.
“The government must prioritize addressing the genuine concerns of the citizens and implement effective policies. We urge Mr. Temitope Ajayi to advise his boss to focus on substantial issues rather than engaging in grandstanding as a spokesman. Nigeria's current situation demands a sensitive, responsible, and responsive approach to prevent further deterioration of the nation's well-being.”