The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), 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.
“Cutting unnecessary spending by the Presidency and the National Assembly would show that the National Assembly can discharge its constitutional responsibility of amplifying the voices of Nigerians,” the group said.
SERAP highlighted a sharp increase in budgetary allocations for certain items, noting that while the Presidency allocated N14bn for “rehabilitation and repairs of fixed assets” in 2024, this figure surged to N26bn for 2025.
“Many Nigerians will find it quite odd, unfair, and unjust that the government and lawmakers are spending so much money on many of these items in the middle of a public borrowing crisis,” SERAP remarked.
The organisation also expressed concerns over the Presidency’s proposed N8.74bn budget for domestic and international travel for President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
“The Office of the President proposes N7bn for travel and transport expenses, while the Vice President’s office plans to spend N1.73bn,” SERAP disclosed.
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Additionally, SERAP revealed other expenditures, including N546.2m for catering materials and refreshment, N87.5m for honorarium and sitting allowance, and N79.6m for drugs and medical supplies.
SERAP criticised the lack of transparency in the National Assembly’s proposed N344.85bn budget, demanding a detailed breakdown of allocations for personnel costs, salaries, and allowances.
“The National Assembly has transparency obligations to disclose the details and breakdown of the proposed budget for the lawmakers,” the organisation said.
The group also urged lawmakers to summon heads of ministries, departments, and agencies implicated in the mismanagement of public funds, as detailed in the 2021 audit report by the Office of the Auditor-General.
“Holding to account the MDAs which are reportedly responsible for the missing billions of naira of public funds would contribute to addressing the widespread and systemic corruption in MDAs,” SERAP stated.
Quoting the Nigerian Constitution, SERAP reminded lawmakers of their duty to prioritize the welfare of citizens. “The National Assembly has constitutional oversight and fiduciary duties to ensure a responsible budget spending,” the letter noted.
“The proposed spending figures by both the Presidency and the National Assembly highlight the lack of political will to cut the cost of governance,” it added.
SERAP concluded by urging Akpabio and Abbas to lead by example and demonstrate that public officials can act in the best interest of Nigerians.
“Cutting waste and apparently unnecessary spending would go a long way in addressing the budget deficit and debt problems,” the organisation emphasised.
Credit: Punch
