Nigerians have criticised the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, following the circulation of videos showing her distributing bundles of ₦100,000 to women at an event.
The videos, which have sparked widespread reactions on social media platform X, did not provide details about the purpose of the cash distribution, raising questions about the source of the funds and whether the exercise was linked to political activities ahead of the forthcoming elections.
Some Nigerians faulted the gesture, arguing that the government should channel public resources towards critical sectors such as healthcare, education, electricity and security, particularly amid the country’s economic difficulties.
Reacting to the development, an X user, @JustineTy, described the distribution as “weaponising poverty”, suggesting that similar cash-sharing exercises in other circumstances could attract scrutiny from relevant authorities.
Another user, @bigforceX, questioned the government’s priorities, writing: “There is no money for ambulance, subsidy, 24/7 power, healthcare, security and education. But there is money for election, selection, vote buying and rigging.”
Similarly, @Relalamaka expressed concern over the distribution, questioning the source of the money and the reason behind the exercise.
“Where all this money come from? What’s the reason for this?” the user wrote.
The minister had yet to issue an official statement addressing the video as of the time of filing this report.
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