SERAP instructs Akpabio and Abass seven days to “drop plans to spend N110 billion on bulletproof cars and other items.”
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas to “drop the scandalous plan to spend N40 billion on 465 exotic and bulletproof cars for members and principal officials, and N70 billion as ‘palliatives’ for new members.”
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SERAP requested them to repeal the 2022 Supplementary Appropriation Act to reduce the budget for the National Assembly by N110bn, reflect current economic realities in the country, and address the impact of the removal of fuel subsidy on the over 137 million poor Nigerians.
In addition, SERAP encouraged them to request President Bola Tinubu to present a new supplementary appropriation bill To allocate N110 billion to address the problem of Nigeria’s approximately 20 million out-of-school children, subject to National Assembly approval.
While N70 billion in’support allowance’ is budgeted for 306 new lawmakers, only N500 billion in palliatives is budgeted for 12 million poor Nigerians.
According to reports, N40 billion has also been set aside to purchase 465 Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) and bulletproof automobiles for members and top officials.
The organisation stated in a letter dated 15 July 2023 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, “This travesty, as well as apparent conflicts of interest and self-dealing by members of the National Assembly, must stop.”
According to SERAP, “it is a fundamental breach of their fiduciary duties for members of the National Assembly to arbitrarily increase budget to satisfy the lifestyle of lawmakers.”
According to the letter, “it is a grave violation of the public trust and constitutional oath of office for members of the National Assembly to unjustifiably increase their own budget at a time when over 137 million poor Nigerians are living in extreme poverty, which has been exacerbated by the removal of fuel subsidy.”
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“We would appreciate it if the recommended measures were implemented within seven days of receiving and/or publishing this letter.”
If we haven’t heard from you by then, SERAP will take all legal action necessary to compel you and the National Assembly to comply with our request in the public interest.
