Politics
SERAP, 20 Others Sue Akpabio, Abbas, Against Increasing Own Budget
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and 20 concerned Nigerians have filed a lawsuit against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas “for unilaterally and arbitrarily increasing the allocation for lawmakers from N197bn to N344bn, their highest since the return of democracy in 1999.”
Biztellers reports that the action was brought against Akpabio and Abbas for themselves and on behalf of all members of the National Assembly.
According to Deputy Director, SERAP, Kolawole Oluwadare, the lawmakers had last month raised their allocation from N197bn proposed by President Bola Tinubu to N344bn.
That meant that the lawmakers would in total draw N514bn from the 2024 budget. The lawmakers also in 2023 arbitrarily increased their own budget from the originally proposed N169bn to N228bn, he noted.
In the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/68/2024 filed last Friday at the Federal High Court, Abuja, the Plaintiffs are asking the court to determine “whether the lawmakers, in the exercise of their powers over appropriation/money bills, can unilaterally increase their own budget without the re-presentation of the budget by the Executive.”
The Plaintiffs are asking the court for “a declaration that the National Assembly, in the exercise of its powers over appropriation/money bills, cannot unilaterally increase its own budget without the re-presentation of the budget by the President in line with section 81 of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended].”
The Plaintiffs are asking the court for “a declaration that the action of the National Assembly, unilaterally increasing its own budget from N197 billion to N344 billion, without the re-presentation of the budget by the President is a breach of the democratic principles of separation of powers and checks and balances.”
The Plaintiffs are seeking “an order of perpetual injunction restraining and preventing the National Assembly from unilaterally increasing its own budget, in the exercise of its powers over all appropriation/money bills, without the re-presentation of such appropriation/money bills by the President in line with the Nigerian Constitution.”
In the suit, the Plaintiffs are arguing that: “Allowing the National Assembly to continue to unilaterally and arbitrarily increase its own budget would fundamentally undermine the letter and spirit of the Nigerian Constitution, public trust, and the rule of law.”
The Plaintiffs are also arguing that, “The arbitrary and self-serving increase by the lawmakers of their own allocation offends the Code of Conduct for Public Officers [Fifth Schedule Part 1] of the Nigerian Constitution, oath of office, and the democratic principles of separation of powers and checks and balances.”
According to the Plaintiffs, “Unless the reliefs sought are granted, the National Assembly will continue to breach the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution and the rule of law, and at the expense of millions of Nigerians living in poverty.”
The suit filed on behalf of SERAP and 20 concerned Nigerians by their lawyers Kolawole Oluwadare and Andrew Nwankwo.
The petition read in part, “Members of the National Assembly are public officers who have sworn the constitutional oath of office to perform their respective duties in the interest of Nigerian citizens.
“The members of the National Assembly, by unilaterally and arbitrarily increasing their own budget in the Appropriation Bill 2024, without the re-presentation of the budget by the President has violated the Code of Conduct for Public Officers.
“Paragraph 1 of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers which provides that ‘a public officer shall not put himself in a position where his personal interest conflicts with his duties and responsibilities.’
“Members of the National Assembly have put their interest above the public interest and ‘well-being and prosperity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria’, contrary to their oath of office.
“It is a necessary implication of the rule of law that, except where the law gives a discretion to a public functionary, he can only act in accordance with the law, as to do otherwise may enthrone arbitrariness.
“The increase and insertion of line items in the Appropriation Bill 2024 by the National Assembly is not commensurate with the constitutional commitments to public services and goods; decreasing public revenues and increasing level of public debts, and the poor economic and social realities in Nigeria.
“The President presented the Appropriation Bill 2024 made up of N27.5 trillion Naira to the National Assembly on 29 November 2023. The National Assembly on 30th December, 2023 passed the Appropriation Bill 2024 in the sum of N28.7 Trillion.
“That while exercising its legislative powers, the 1st and 2nd Defendants increased the Appropriation Bill by N1.2 Trillion, wherein the 1st and 2nd Defendants unilaterally increased allocations made to the National Assembly in the Appropriation Bill 2024 presented by the President from N197,932,625,616 Billion Naira to N344.85 Billion.
“The President signed the ₦28.7 Trillion Appropriation Bill 2024 into law on 1st January, 2024. The 2024 Budget is in deficit of ₦9.18 Trillion.
“The Budget/Appropriation Act 2024 is yet to be gazetted as at the time of filing this suit and public access to the gazetted 2024 Budget/Appropriation Act is restricted.
“The National Assembly after inserting new line items to the Appropriation Bill 2024 and altering the budgetary allocation to already inserted line items did not submit same to the President for re-presentation by the President before going ahead to present the Appropriation Bill to the President for assent.”
The SERAP and 20 concerned Nigerians are also asking the court for the following reliefs:
“A DECLARATION that the action of the National Assembly, unilaterally increasing the budget of the National Assembly from 197 billion Naira to 344 billion Naira, in the exercise of its powers over Appropriation Bill 2024, without the re-presentation of the budget by the President is a breach of section 81 of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], the Code of Conduct for Public Officers [Fifth Schedule Part 1] of the Nigerian Constitution, Oath of office [Seventh Schedule] and section 81 of the Nigerian Constitution.
“AN ORDER OF PERPETUAL INJUNCTION OF THE HONOURABLE COURT restraining and preventing the National Assembly from unilaterally increasing the budget of the National Assembly, in the exercise of its powers over all appropriation/money bills, without the re-presentation of such appropriation/money bills by the President in compliance with section 81 of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and the democratic principles of separation of powers and checks and balances.”
And, “AN ORDER OF THE HONOURABLE COURT directing, compelling and mandating the National Assembly, in the exercise of its powers over all appropriation/money bills, to comply with section 81 of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] by sending such appropriation/money bills to the President for re-presentation before the National Assembly in compliance with section 81 of the Nigerian Constitution and the democratic principles of separation of powers and checks and balances.”
The court is yet to fix a date for the hearing of the suit.
The All Progressives Congress, APC, primary election for the Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency in Plateau State was thrown into chaos on Saturday after suspected thugs disrupted the vote-counting process, forcing electoral officials and party members to flee for safety.
The incident occurred at the RCM Primary School in Zarmaganda, Jos South Local Government Area, during a direct primary election organised ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Trouble reportedly started after disagreements emerged between supporters of former House of Representatives member, Dachung Baggos, and another aspirant, Hon. Esther Dung, over the outcome of the exercise.
SEE ALSO: Plateau Police on High Alert as Muslims Celebrate Eid in Jos
Party sources disclosed that electoral officials had commenced a recount of votes following protests by supporters of Baggos, who rejected the earlier declaration of Esther Dung as the winner.
During the recount, Baggos was said to have polled 570 votes, while another aspirant, Arum, secured 66 votes before the process was interrupted.
Tension escalated when officials moved to count votes belonging to Esther Dung, as suspected hoodlums stormed the venue and disrupted the exercise.
An APC official, Nandom Paul, confirmed the incident, explaining that supporters of Dung opposed the recount on the grounds that many accredited voters had already cast their ballots and left the venue.
According to him, efforts by the electoral officer to calm both camps and assure them of transparency failed to resolve the disagreement.
The situation later turned violent, forcing party officials, electoral officers, and supporters to scamper for safety as security operatives intervened and evacuated officials from the scene.
Meanwhile, in a related primary election held at Zawan A Ward in Jos South LGA, Esther Bitrus emerged victorious after polling 316 votes to defeat Dachung Baggos, who secured 130 votes, while Ajiji received two votes.
A monitor of the exercise, Jude Dalyop, described the Zawan A Ward primary as peaceful and credible, noting that agents of all aspirants were present throughout the process.
The APC is expected to collate and officially announce the final results for the Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency after voting concludes across all wards.
The battle for Nigeria’s presidency in 2027 has officially gathered momentum as leading opposition figures including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra State governor Peter Obi, former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi, and Oyo State governor Seyi Makinde intensified moves aimed at challenging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The opposition leaders made major political declarations on Thursday, unveiling plans, alliances, and presidential ambitions that could reshape the country’s political landscape ahead of the next general election.
SEE ALSO: 2027: Kwankwasiyya Movement Fires Warning Shot Over Attacks on Kwankwaso
Atiku Abubakar, now contesting under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), submitted his presidential nomination form at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, describing his ambition as part of a broader mission to rescue Nigeria from hardship and despair.
According to the former vice president, Nigerians must unite beyond ethnic and religious divisions to restore prosperity and rebuild confidence in governance.
“This is more than a political journey; it is a national movement rooted in hope, renewal, and the collective resolve to save Nigeria from despair,” Atiku said.
Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, who also submitted his nomination form under the ADC, launched a scathing criticism of the APC-led administration, blaming the “Emilokan” ideology for the economic suffering currently facing Nigerians.
Amaechi argued that leadership should be based on competence and performance rather than tribal, regional, or religious sentiments.
“It is Emilokan that brought us here. Nigerians are suffering,” he declared while addressing supporters in Abuja.
The former Rivers governor further questioned the APC’s push for another term, insisting the current administration had failed to improve the welfare of Nigerians.
Meanwhile, Peter Obi disclosed that he would spend only one term in office if elected president in 2027.
Speaking during an interview on News Central TV, the former Labour Party presidential candidate stated that he had no intention of remaining in power beyond four years.
“I want to be a one-term president because of stability. I will not stay a day longer than four years,” Obi stated.
He also criticised the country’s worsening economic conditions, rising debt profile, and increasing hardship under the current administration.
In Ibadan, Governor Seyi Makinde formally declared his presidential ambition under a new political alliance involving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM).
Makinde announced the launch of the “Reset Nigeria Movement,” which he described as the beginning of a wider opposition coalition determined to offer Nigerians a credible alternative in 2027.
The Oyo governor accused the ruling party of weakening democracy and attempting to turn Nigeria into a one-party state.
“The economic and security situations continue to worsen, forcing Nigerians into survival mode,” Makinde said during a mega rally at Mapo Hall.
He urged opposition parties and ordinary citizens to unite in order to rescue the country from worsening insecurity, poverty, and economic hardship.
A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Bauchi State, Alhaji Usman Adamu, has come to the defence of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, saying most of those accusing him of working for the All Progressives Congress (APC) have now joined the ruling party themselves.
Adamu made the remarks in Abuja while submitting his nomination forms for the Bauchi governorship race ahead of the 2027 elections.
The PDP aspirant dismissed claims that Wike was secretly backing the APC, arguing that many of the minister’s critics had already defected to the ruling party.
SEE ALSO: “PDP Can’t Unseat Tinubu with Wike in Charge” — Ulasi Blows Hot, Threatens Exit
“About 85 per cent of those accusing him have already officially decamped to the APC. Who is working for APC?” he asked.
Praising Wike’s political strength and influence within the PDP, Adamu compared the minister’s political survival to a football match where one player defeated several opponents.
“Before, about 14 governors ganged up against one person. Gradually, one after the other, you were scoring one, two. I have never seen such a scorer. In the end, the match ended 14-0. I am thanking Wike,” he said.
According to him, politics is like a battlefield that requires strategy, leadership and strong fighters to secure victory.
Turning to his governorship ambition, Adamu described himself as a unifying figure capable of bridging the gap between youths, women and elders in Bauchi State.
“I am not too old and neither too young to be a leader in this country. I will be the bridge between the women, youths and elders,” he stated.
On regional politics in the state, Adamu said he does not belong to either of the dominant blocs, stressing that he would stand as a neutral force for unity.
“We have a dichotomy in the state that is called Bauchi-Kataokum. I don’t belong to Bauchi, I don’t belong to Kataokum. I will be in the middle of this place,” he added.
The PDP governorship hopeful also expressed confidence in his chances of winning the election, even if the incumbent governor supports another candidate.
“Power and authority belongs to God and only Him can decide the future with certainty. Bauchi people are very wise and they can choose what they want for themselves,” he said.
Adamu further dismissed reports suggesting the PDP was losing relevance in Bauchi State due to internal crises and defections.
“As far as I am concerned, there is one party here, which is PDP. PDP has its stronghold in Bauchi. Most of the people of Bauchi are PDP and you cannot change them from that position,” he declared.
He also questioned the legitimacy of rival factions within the party, insisting that only leaders recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should be taken seriously.
Despite ongoing tensions within the opposition party, Adamu maintained that the PDP would emerge stronger after its primaries and remain a major political force in Bauchi State.
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