CROSS RIVER, CALABAR – A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) House of Assembly aspirant for Boki 1 State Constituency, Cosmas Obi, has questioned the alleged structure and financial implications of Governor Bassey Otu’s social investment scheme, demanding transparency on its funding, beneficiaries and sustainability.
Obi raised the concerns in a statement shared on his social media handle and sighted by Truth Live News, where he questioned reports that the programme would provide monthly payments of ₦50,000 each to 50 youths and 50 elders across every ward in Cross River State.
The PDP aspirant alleged that the initiative, if implemented across the state’s 196 wards, would involve 19,600 beneficiaries and cost the state about ₦980 million monthly, translating to approximately ₦11.76 billion annually.
He questioned the source of funding for the programme and asked whether the allocation was captured in the 2026 budget.
“Where is this ₦11.7 billion coming from? Is it in the 2026 budget? What is the plan after ‘every month’?” Obi queried.
He argued that while social support programmes could provide temporary relief, government resources should be directed towards projects that create long-term economic opportunities.
“Cash handouts don’t fix bad roads, dead markets, or no jobs. Cross River needs investments, not allowances,” he stated.
Obi also questioned the process for selecting beneficiaries, expressing concerns that without transparency, the scheme could become a platform for political patronage.
“Who are these 19,600 beneficiaries? What’s the selection process to stop it becoming a party loyalty scheme?” he asked.
The Boki 1 Assembly aspirant further called for investment in critical sectors, including road infrastructure, skills development centres and healthcare facilities, arguing that such projects would provide sustainable benefits for residents.
“₦50,000 today will finish tomorrow. But a working road, a working hospital, and real jobs will feed families for years,” he added.
He urged the Cross River State Government to prioritise programmes that would have lasting impact on citizens rather than what he described as short-term interventions.
The state government has not yet issued an official response to the allegations as at the time of filing this report.
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