Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to use his leadership position to promptly reject the plan by the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, to spend N15 billion for the construction of a befitting residence for the Vice-President, Kashim Shettima.
SERAP urged him to assert Senates authority and constitutional oversight roles to reject the N2.8 billion on publicity for the FCTA and other proposed wasteful and unnecessary spending that may be contained in the 2023 supplementary budget and the 2024 budget proposed by President Bola Tinubu.
In the letter, dated 2 December, 2023 and signed by SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said, The plan to spend N15 billion on a befitting residence for the vice president is a fundamental breach of the Nigerian Constitution and the countrys international anti-corruption and human rights obligations.
SERAP said: The Senate has the constitutional duties to ensure that Mr Wikes proposed spending is entirely consistent and compatible with constitutional provisions including his oath of office. All public officials remain subject to the rule of law.
SERAP also said, The National Assembly including the Senate has a constitutional responsibility to address the countrys debt crisis, including by rejecting wasteful and unnecessary spending to satisfy the personal comfort and lifestyles of public officials”.
The letter read in part: The National Assembly cannot continue to fail to fulfil its oversight function. The Senate must assert and demonstrate its independence by checking and rejecting all wasteful and unnecessary spending by the Executive.
It would be a grave violation of the public trust and constitutional oath of office for the Senate to approve the plan to spend N15 billion on a befitting residence for the vice president at a time when the Federal Government is set to spend 30% (that is, N8.25 trillion) of the countrys 2024 budget of N27.5 trillion on debt service costs.
It would be a grave violation of the public trust and constitutional oath of office for the Senate to approve the plan to spend N15 billion on a befitting residence for the vice-president at a time when the Federal Government is set to spend 30% (that is, N8.25 trillion) of the countrys 2024 Budget of N27.5 trillion on debt service costs.
The Federal Government also plans to borrow N7.8 trillion to fund the 2024 Budget. Nigerias public debt stood at 87.4 trillion naira as of June, with 38% owed to external creditors, including multi-lateral and commercial lenders.
Should the Senate and its leadership fail to stop wasteful and unnecessary spending and rein in government borrowing, SERAP would consider appropriate legal action to compel the National Assembly, including the Senate, to discharge its constitutional oversight roles in the public interest.
SERAP urges you to refer to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) the allegations of corruption in the spending of the previously approved N7 billion for the construction of a new residence for the vice president.
“Under Section 16(1) (a) (b), the National Assembly including the Senate 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. “Under sections 59(2) and 299 of the Nigerian Constitution, the National Assembly including the Senate has legislative powers over money bills including the proposed N15 billion, and other wasteful and unnecessary spending by the Federal Government.
