Senate divides over alleged politicization of Social Intervention Programme

There was war of words in the Senate over an allegation by  the Minority Leader, Senator Biodun Olujimi that the Social Intervention Programme of the Federal Government, which was introduced by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration has been politicised.

Olujimi alleged that beneficiaries of the programme were being asked to provide details of their Permanent Voter Card in the application form.

While presenting a copy of the form, she alleged that ‘I Stand with Buhari’ was written on it.

Before the Majority Leader, Senator Ahmad Lawan, who defended the Buhari-led administration and the programme could speak, the chamber had become noisy as the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party exchanged words across the divide.

The APC lawmakers also forced the Senate to resolve that the SURE-P policy of the immediate past ‎PDP government led by former President Goodluck Jonathan be probed

When calm returned to the chamber, the senate sets up an adhoc committee to probe Senator Olujimi’s allegations that funds from the social intervention program is being used for political purposes implicitly the re-election of President Buhari.

Meanwhile, Information Minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has rejected the allegation that the Social Investment Programme is being used for political patronage