Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the Senate President, Mr. Godswill Akpabio, to reject the plan by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to spend N15 billion on the construction of a residence for Vice President Kashim Shettima. In a letter dated December 2, 2023, SERAP urged the Senate President to assert the Senate’s authority and reject wasteful spending, including the proposed N2.8 billion on publicity for the FCTA.
SERAP stated that the plan to spend N15 billion on a residence for the vice president is a fundamental breach of the Nigerian Constitution and the country’s international anticorruption and human rights obligations. The organization emphasized the constitutional duty of the Senate to ensure that such spending aligns with constitutional provisions.
The letter also highlighted the need for the National Assembly, including the Senate, to address the country’s debt crisis and reject unnecessary spending that could add to the financial burden. SERAP warned that failure to check wasteful spending might lead to legal action to compel the National Assembly to discharge its oversight roles.
Additionally, SERAP urged the Senate President to refer allegations of corruption in the previously approved N7 billion for the construction of a new residence for the vice president to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). SERAP expressed concern over the reported abandonment of the construction, with the whereabouts of the N7 billion unknown.