Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the Senate President, Mr. Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Tajudeen Abbas, to abandon the controversial plan to spend N40 billion on luxury cars for members and N70 billion as “palliatives” for new members.
SERAP has urged them to revise the 2022 Supplementary Appropriation Act, reducing the National Assembly’s budget by N110 billion to reflect the current economic situation and address the impact of fuel subsidy removal on over 137 million impoverished Nigerians.
In addition, SERAP has requested that President Bola Tinubu present a new supplementary appropriation bill to redirect the N110 billion towards addressing the plight of over 20 million out-of-school children in Nigeria, subject to approval by the National Assembly.
According to reports, while N70 billion is allocated for 306 new lawmakers, only N500 billion worth of palliatives is assigned to 12 million poor Nigerians. Furthermore, N40 billion is earmarked for the purchase of 465 Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) and bulletproof cars for members and officials.
In a letter dated 15 July 2023, signed by SERAP’s deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization condemns the actions of the National Assembly members, describing them as a breach of fiduciary duty and an abuse of their budgetary powers.
SERAP emphasizes that increasing their own budget and using it to satisfy personal lifestyles undermines the public’s trust and violates the lawmakers’ constitutional oath of office, particularly when millions of Nigerians are facing extreme poverty due to the fuel subsidy removal.
The organization urges swift action within seven days to implement the recommended measures. If there is no response, SERAP threatens to pursue legal action to compel compliance in the public interest.
SERAP highlights the lawmakers’ failure to prioritize bills that would benefit the 137 million impoverished Nigerians affected by the fuel subsidy removal, instead focusing on their own interests. It further criticizes the planned purchase of luxury vehicles and bulletproof cars, which is separate from the official bulletproof vehicles designated for the presiding officers.
The proposed spending of N110 billion by the National Assembly, in addition to the already allocated N281 billion in the 2023 budget, raises concerns. SERAP fears that the National Assembly’s budget could further increase, as members are reportedly seeking salary and allowance adjustments to offset the subsidy removal’s impact.
By disregarding the constitutional obligation to prioritize the security and welfare of the people, as well as the duty to provide equal and adequate educational opportunities, the National Assembly’s actions constitute a breach of the Nigerian Constitution and the country’s international human rights obligations.
SERAP asserts that cutting the N110 billion from the National Assembly’s budget would align with the lawmakers’ constitutional oath of office, promoting efficient and transparent utilization of public funds.
Redirecting the proposed N110 billion to address the issue of over 20 million out-of-school children would improve access to quality education, which is not only a human right but also a means to uplift marginalized individuals and communities.
Under international law, states are obligated to progressively implement socio-economic rights, including the right to quality education, based on available resources. Misallocation of resources that undermines the right to education can be deemed a violation of human rights.