HighlightTrending Story

Akpabio, Abass get 7-day ultimatum to stop plan to spend N110bn on bulletproof cars, others

259

Senate President Godswill Akpabio and the Speaker of House of Representatives, Mr Tajudeen Abbas have been given seven days ultimatum to drop the “scandalous plan to spend N40bn on 465 exotic and bulletproof cars for members and principal officials of the National Assembly.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) which gave the ultimatum, also asked them to stop the N70 billion as palliatives for new members.

In a letter dated 15 July, 2023 and addressed to the leadership of the National Assembly, SERAP also urged them to repeal the 2022 Supplementary Appropriation Act to reduce the budget for the National Assembly by N110bn, reflect the current economic realities in the country and address the impact of the removal of fuel subsidy on the over 137 million poor Nigerians.

Alternatively, SERAP urged them to request President Bola Tinubu to present a fresh supplementary appropriation bill, to redirect the N110 billion to address the situation of the over 20 million out-of-school children in Nigeria, for the approval of the National Assembly.”

“While N70 billion ‘support allowance’ is budgeted for 306 new lawmakers, only N500 billion worth of palliatives is budgeted for 12 million poor Nigerians. N40 billion is also allocated to buy 465 Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) and bulletproof cars for members and principal officials.”

“This travesty, and apparent conflicts of interest and self-dealing by members of the National Assembly must stop.

“It a fundamental breach of their fiduciary duties for members of the National Assembly to arbitrarily increase their own budget and to use the budget as a tool to satisfy the lifestyle of lawmakers.

“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 exacerbated by the removal of fuel subsidy.

“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel you and the National Assembly to comply with our request in the public interest.

“Rather than exercising their constitutional and oversight functions to pursue the public interest by considering bills to improve the conditions of the over 137 million poor Nigerians who are facing the impact of the removal of fuel subsidy, the lawmakers seem to be looking after themselves.

“According to reports, no fewer than 107 units of the 2023 model of the Toyota Landcruiser and 358 units of the 2023 model of Toyota Prado would be bought for the use of members of the Senate and the House of Representatives respectively.

“The planned purchase is different from the official bulletproof vehicles expected to be purchased for the four presiding officers of the National Assembly.

“The proposed spending of N110 billion by members of the National Assembly is apparently on top of the N281 billion already provided for the lawmakers in the 2023 National Assembly budget. The proposed spending is also different from the N30.17 billion budgeted for the ‘inauguration expenses’ for new members,” SERAP said in the letter signed by SERAP Deputy Director, Mr Kolawole Oluwadare.

It added: “SERAP is concerned that the budget for the National Assembly may further be increased as members are reportedly demanding an upward review of their salaries and allowances purportedly to offset the impact of the removal of fuel subsidy.

“Section 14(2)(b) of the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 [as amended] provides that, ‘the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.

“Under Section 16(1)(a)(b), the National Assembly has the obligations to ‘harness the resources of the nation and promote national prosperity and an efficient, a dynamic and self-reliant economy’, and to ‘secure the maximum welfare, freedom and happiness of every citizen.

“Section 18 of the Constitution of Nigeria provides among others that: ‘Government shall direct its policy towards ensuring that there are equal and adequate educational opportunities at all levels. Government shall strive to eradicate illiteracy; and to this end Government shall provide (a) free, compulsory and universal primary education.

“The Compulsory, Free Universal Basic Education Act also provides in Section 2(1) that, ‘Every Government in Nigeria shall provide free, compulsory and Universal basic education for every child of primary and junior secondary, school age.

“The proposed spending of N110 billion by members of the National Assembly is a fundamental breach of the Nigerian Constitution and the country’s international human rights obligations.

“Nigerians have a right to honest and faithful performance by their public officials including lawmakers, as public officials owe a fiduciary duty to the general citizenry.

“Cutting the N110 billion from the budget of the National Assembly would be entirely consistent with your constitutional oath of office, and the letter and spirit of the Nigerian Constitution, as it would promote efficient, honest, and legal spending of public money.

“The problem of out-of-school children has continued to have catastrophic effects on the lives of millions of children, their families and communities.

“By being out of school, these Nigerian children have been exposed to real danger, violence and even untimely death. Redirecting the proposed spending of N110 billion to address the situation of over 20 million out-of-school children across the country would improve access of Nigerian children to quality education.

“Education is both a human right in itself and an indispensable means of realizing other human rights. As an empowerment right, education is the primary vehicle by which economically and socially marginalized adults and children can lift themselves out of poverty and obtain the means to participate fully in their communities.

“Under international law, states are required to progressively implement socio-economic rights including the right to quality education commensurate with the level of resources available. Gross misallocation of resources to the detriment of the enjoyment of the right to quality education can constitute a human rights violation.”

 

Leave a comment

Related Articles

Just in: UK Conservative Party elects former Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch as new leader

Former British Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch has emerged as the new leader...

Demolition of Abuja N200bln properties: Restrain Wike, Estate Developers Beg Pres. Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has been urged to intervene in the alleged demolition...

FirstBank’s retired CEO, Adeduntan, gets presidential commendation

Impressed with his exemplary career trajectory and transformative leadership, President Bola Tinubu...

#EndBadGovernance protests: AGF to Police: Transfer casefiles of 72 defendants to my office

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince...

NAGAFF Taps NPA MD, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, as Keynote Speaker for Silver Jubilee Anniversary

The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has announced Dr....

It’s fake news: Fubara did not order shut down of NNPC Ltd, oil companies in Rivers

The Rivers State Government has refuted a report circulating on social media,...

Tinubu to NEC: Allow tax reform bills pass through legislative process, public hearing

President Bola Tinubu has received the National Economic Council’s recommendation that the...

Minister Inspects Bagaja Renewables’ Zawaciki 1MWp Mini-Grid Amid Northern Power Crisis

As northern Nigeria grapples with prolonged power outages, Minister of Power Adelabu...

Just in: Court grants VeryDarkMan N2m bail

Reprieve has come for the detained social media critic, Martins Otse, popularly...

Just in: #EndBadGovernance protest: Teenager collapses in court, forces judge to suspend proceeding

A teenager, one of the 76 people charged before a Federal High...

Keyamo refutes reports of airstrip license revocation for Oyedepo, others

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN), has...

Just in: 76 #EndBadGovernance protesters arraigned in Abuja

The detained 76 #EndBadGovernance protesters just arrived at the Federal High Court...

Tax reform bill not targeted at North, to streamline tax administration processes, enhance efficiency – Presidency

The Presidency has clarified the misconceptions about the tax reform of the...

DSS, Police to give security clearance to Abuja drivers from 2025 – Wike, FCT Minister

In a bold move to curtail kidnapping and the ubiquitous ‘one chance’...

Reps step down motion to reverse change of Niger Delta Ministry to Regional Development Ministry

The House of Representatives has failed to consider a motion asking President...

FG holds talks with striking university workers

Four days into the seven-day warning strike, the Federal Government has invited...

Golden Jubilee: Soneye Strikes decisive goal as FS 50 edges Okocha’s FS Legends 2-1

In a thrilling match commemorating Mr. Olufemi Soneye’s 50th birthday, Team FS...

Philanthropist Dr. Kensington Adebutu’s multi-million Naira Media Resource Centre at NIJ, Lagos, Inaugurated

The prestigious Sir (Dr.) Kensington Adebukunola Adebutu Media Resource Centre built by...

Just in: After 10 months in captivity, Kaduna female doctor, Popoola, freed

Ten months after her kidnapping, Kaduna-based medical doctor, Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, has...

Just in: Reps to FG: Halt issuance of licence to private airstrips

Citing security reasons, the House of Representatives has moved to stop the...