Nigerians React As Wike Approves ₦10 Billion For National Assembly Leaders

The presiding officers of the National Assembly—Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, and Deputy Speaker Ben Kalu—have been allocated ₦10 billion for rent and furniture in the Federal Capital Territory’s 2024 supplementary budget, according to a Premium Times investigation.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

This allocation, identified as “Renting and Furnishing of Presiding Officers of the National Assembly,” is classified under code 23010309 in the budget.

The ₦288 billion supplementary budget, presented by President Bola Tinubu to the National Assembly in September, was passed within just five days.

The spending on legislative leaders follows a series of reports about the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike’s extravagant expenditures. Over the past 15 months, the FCT ministry has spent generously, including ₦21 billion on a residential mansion for Vice President Kashim Shettima and ₦25 billion for housing 40 judges.

This comes at a time when Nigeria is grappling with severe economic challenges, including the removal of the petroleum subsidy and the naira’s devaluation, which have contributed to widespread poverty. Recent stampedes during food distribution have resulted in multiple deaths.

Despite these hardships, critics claim that the government continues lavish spending while advocating austerity for ordinary citizens. Controversial expenses include a $100 million presidential jet, failed attempts to acquire a presidential yacht, and luxury vehicles for lawmakers.

Some have accused Mr. Wike of using financial allocations like this to exert influence over institutions, though he has consistently denied these allegations. His appointment as FCT minister has been widely viewed as a reward for his key role in President Tinubu’s 2023 electoral success.

According to Section 299 of the 1999 Constitution, the President is the de facto governor of the FCT, with the National Assembly serving as its legislative body. Section 302 grants the President the authority to appoint an FCT minister as his representative.

Historically, National Assembly leaders were housed in the Apo legislative quarters, but these buildings were sold under the monetization policy of the Olusegun Obasanjo administration, leaving only the presiding officers’ quarters

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