The Senate on Wednesday resolved to investigate alleged misuse of the social intervention programme fund.
The upper chamber also agreed to probe how funds allocated to fund the Subsidy Re-investment Programme (SURE-P) were used.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion by the minority leader, Senator Biodun Olujimi on alleged deployment of funds under the social intervention programme to buy Permanent Voters Cards (PVC) to promote President Muhammadu Buhari’s presidential election.
Olujimi who displayed copies of signed forms used by an alleged beneficiary of the intervention fund, claimed that beneficiaries are made to attach their PVCs before they could benefit from the fund.
She noted that it was unfortunate that the social intervention fund created for the benefit of every Nigerian, was allegedly being manipulated to buy PVC for President Buhari’s re-election bid.
Olujimi who came under Order 42 (personal explanation) prayed the Senate to investigate the matter as a matter of urgency.
She said that the upper chamber should insist that the social intervention fund must not be used for political purposes.
Senate Leader, Senator Ahmed Lawan, described the allegation as completely unfounded.
As Lawan made to disabuse the minds of his colleagues about any untoward use the fund, the Senate erupted with shouts of point of order.
Attempts by Senate President, Bukola Saraki, to control the situation failed for some moment.
Saraki gave Senator Dino Melaye the floor to move his point of order.
The Kogi West senator said that Olujimi’s motion should first be seconded before contributions would be made.
The house was divided along party lines. Lawan requested for protection and to be allowed to make his points.
Saraki said that Lawn should be allowed to speak.
Lawan said, “I listened attentively to the motion by Senator Olujimi.
‘I want to say that the social intervention programme of this administration transparent.”
He noted that “for the first time in the history of social intervention programme in Nigeria we have proof that any where you are in Nigeria, you can apply.”
The shout of point of order continued.
Senator Albert Akpan (Akwa Ibom North East) took the floor to raise Orders 49 and 52.
Akpan re-iterated Melaye’s position that Saraki should first allow Olujimi’s motion to be seconded.
He added that contributions in support of the motion should be taken after which those opposed to the motion should take the floor.
Saraki could take none of that. He said that Lawan should be allowed to conclude his contribution.
Lawan said that the social intervention programme of the government is computer based which made it easy for Nigerians to apply wherever they were.
He urged the Senate President to be above board and blind to the debate.
Lawan said that it is on record that the social intervention programme has been the most successful in the country.
He said, “We inherited poverty, we inherited empty treasury. This administration is working to change the system. The social intervention fund is under the office of the Vice President who has been very transparent in the implementation of the programme for the benefit of all Nigerians.”
Lawan said that he is not against whatever the Senate wanted to do with Olujimi’s motion “but the investigation should not be turned into a political weapon.”
He reminded the Senate that Nigerians were aware that Sure-P failed.
He said that Olujimi should tender the document he has while the investigation should be party blind.
The Senate adopted that prayer that the probe should be apolitical.
The prayer that Sure-P should also be investigated was also carried.
