By Tgnews Reporter
In a scathing press statement released today, the Young Progressive Party (YPP) Adamawa State Chapter has accused Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of betraying public trust by allowing the distribution of Presidential Aid for Wealth Creation and Employment Creation Agency (PAWECA) empowerment forms to devolve into a nepotistic “family-and-friends affair.”
The opposition party expressed “deep concern” over what began as a promised inclusive initiative for small and micro business owners but has now sparked widespread outrage among eligible citizens who claim the process was rigged to favor political allies and insiders.
According to the statement, authorities initially pledged a transparent “one person, one form” policy to ensure equitable access to the 100,000 distributed forms. However, a baffling mid-process reversal declared that even those who had already submitted forms were eligible for new ones, prompting accusations of foul play.
“This sudden change raises critical questions,” the YPP statement read. “Have the PAWECA forms truly reached all small and micro business owners across Adamawa State? Why was the original guideline of one form per person abandoned? Whose interest does this new directive serve?”
YPP described the fallout as heartbreaking, with “many genuine small and micro entrepreneurs across the state… crying out because the forms never reached them.”
Instead, the party alleged, the distribution was “hijacked by individuals who shared the forms only among family members, political allies, and close associates.”
The statement directly addressed Governor Fintiri, urging him to “stand by your words and uphold fairness, as the people of Adamawa have always known you for.” It emphasized that the program “is meant for all qualified citizens, not for a selected circle.”
In a nod to modern governance, YPP advocated for a “web-based portal or digital registration system” to replace the flawed physical distribution, arguing it would “ensure wider access, transparency, accountability, and equal opportunity for every eligible resident—avoiding the present controversy.”
The party positioned itself firmly in solidarity with the affected business community, declaring, “Adamawa State belongs to all of us, and every citizen deserves equal access to government initiatives.” It called for an immediate review of the process “to restore confidence and fairness.”
As of press time, neither Governor Fintiri’s office nor PAWECA Director-General had responded to requests for comment on the allegations.
The controversy threatens to erode support for the empowerment drive, which aims to bolster economic recovery in one of Nigeria’s northeastern states amid ongoing challenges like inflation and youth unemployment.
YPP’s intervention highlights growing tensions between the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) administration and opposition voices in Adamawa, where Fintiri’s re-election in 2023 was marred by similar claims of electoral irregularities.
Political analysts say the episode could fuel calls for greater oversight in federal aid programs like PAWECA, launched under President Bola Tinubu’s administration to combat poverty.
The full YPP statement, signed by the party’s Adamawa State Chapter, is available below;
PRESS STATEMENT BY THE YOUNG PROGRESSIVE PARTY (YPP), ADAMAWA STATE
The Young Progressive Party (YPP) wishes to express deep concern over the recent distribution of the PAWECA empowerment forms across Adamawa State. What was presented to the public as an inclusive and transparent process has unfortunately turned into what many citizens now describe as a family-and-friends affair. It is clear that His Excellency Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri and the Director-General of PAWECA missed the mark on this exercise.
Initially, the people of Adamawa State were assured by the relevant authorities that the principle of “one person, one form” would guide the process, ensuring fairness and wide coverage. This was a good idea, especially for the small and micro business owners who genuinely need support.
However, to the surprise and disappointment of many, a contradictory directive emerged after the distribution of 100,000 forms—stating that even individuals who had already filled the previous forms were again eligible for the new ones.
This sudden change raises critical questions:
Have the PAWECA forms truly reached all small and micro business owners across Adamawa State?
Why was the original guideline of one form per person abandoned?
Whose interest does this new directive serve?
Today, many genuine small and micro entrepreneurs across the state are crying out because the forms never reached them. Instead, the process appears to have been hijacked by individuals who shared the forms only among family members, political allies, and close associates.
Your Excellency, we respectfully call on you to stand by your words and uphold fairness, as the people of Adamawa have always known you for. This empowerment program is meant for all qualified citizens, not for a selected circle.
In fact, a web-based portal or digital registration system would have ensured wider access, transparency, accountability, and equal opportunity for every eligible resident—avoiding the present controversy.
Adamawa State belongs to all of us, and every citizen deserves equal access to government initiatives. YPP stands with the small and micro business community and urges the government to review this process to restore confidence and fairness.
Signed:
Young Progressive Party (YPP), Adamawa State Chapter
Join our Telegram group and receive breaking and trending news updates directly on your phone.
Join for News Updates ✕
