The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has called on the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, to slash proposed budgets for the Presidency and the National Assembly.
The organisation argued that the funds, amounting to N9.4bn for the Presidency’s travel, meals, and catering expenses, and N344.85bn for lawmakers, could be redirected to mitigate the country’s growing budget deficit.
In a letter dated December 21, 2024, signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP urged the National Assembly to request a fresh supplementary appropriation bill from President Bola Tinubu.
The bill, SERAP said, should reflect reduced allocations for both the Presidency and the legislature, aligning with Nigeria’s dire economic situation.
It warned that “Any proposed unnecessary spending by the Presidency and the National Assembly would amount to a fundamental breach of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended).”
“It would be a grave violation of the public trust and constitutional oath of office for the members of the National Assembly to approve unnecessary spending for themselves and the Presidency.”
SERAP further demanded a detailed breakdown of the National Assembly’s proposed N344.85bn budget, including allocations for personnel costs, salaries, and allowances.
It also urged lawmakers to summon heads of ministries, departments, and agencies implicated in the mismanagement of funds as revealed in the 2021 audit report by the Office of the Auditor-General.
SERAP urged lawmakers to demand a fresh supplementary appropriation bill from President Bola Tinubu that reflects reduced allocations for both the Presidency and the legislature.
