Nigerian lawmakers on Friday abruptly shelved a planned protest against the presentation of the 2026 Budget amid allegations that cash inducements were paid to legislators to ensure a smooth session at the National Assembly.
In a published report yesterday, multiple lawmakers revealed that senators allegedly received $50,000 each, while members of the House of Representatives were given $30,000, shortly after President Bola Tinubu presented the 2026 Appropriation Bill at a joint sitting of the Senate and House of Representatives.
According to the accounts, the protest—initially aimed at disrupting proceedings and embarrassing the president—was called off minutes before Tinubu arrived at the National Assembly complex.
The lawmakers had threatened to stall the budget presentation over what they described as poor implementation of the 2025 Budget and unfair handling of constituency project funds.
Sources said the funds were reportedly distributed through caucus leaders from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The tension followed a heated meeting earlier in the week involving legislators, Finance Minister Wale Edun, Budget and Economic Planning Minister Abubakar Bagudu, and Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Chairman, Zacch Adedeji.
Lawmakers, led by Ahmed Wase, reportedly clashed with the leadership of both chambers over payment arrangements tied to constituency projects.
At the centre of the dispute was an alleged agreement by the Tinubu administration to release ₦850 billion for constituency projects after sustained pressure from lawmakers. The situation worsened, according to legislators, when the appropriation committees decided that rank-and-file members would receive only 30 percent of project funds, while chamber leaders would retain full access to their allocations.
Several lawmakers said the leadership of the 10th National Assembly later received calls from the Presidency a few hours before the budget presentation, urging them to calm aggrieved members with assurances of financial incentives.
President Tinubu arrived at the NASS Complex around 3:00 p.m. on Friday, accompanied by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, Secretary to the Government of the Federation Senator George Akume, ministers, and governors. He presented a proposed ₦54.46 trillion budget for the 2026 fiscal year.
According to reports, 5 members of the House of Representatives and 4 senators separately confirmed that cash was distributed immediately after the president concluded his address. While most said senators received $50,000 and House members $30,000, two senators claimed they received less, and two representatives initially denied receiving any funds. An aide to one of the lawmakers who denied the payment later confirmed his principal collected the money.
A Senate spokesperson denied knowledge of any bribery when contacted.
Lawmakers who acknowledged receiving the funds said no money changed hands until after the budget presentation. One legislator described the cash as a “Christmas gift from the president”, adding that: “Christmas is the season to collect gifts, even from the President”.
Despite questions about the legality and ethics of collecting large sums of cash—an act that could attract criminal penalties under Nigerian anti-corruption laws—those who spoke to reporters dismissed concerns about possible consequences. Some lawmakers, speaking on condition of anonymity, shared multimedia materials purportedly showing the cash packages prepared for members of both chambers.
As of Friday evening, the Presidency had not issued an official response. Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, did not immediately reply to requests for comment on the allegations.
