Anger Mounts as Senate Defends N70bn Palliative for Lawmakers

 

                                           Senate President, Godswill Akpabio

The decision by the National Assembly to allocate N70bn from the N819bn federal supplementary budget to its members has sparked outrage among Nigerians. The lawmakers claimed that the funds were earmarked to support "the working conditions of National Assembly members." However, critics argue that the allocation is insensitive, especially at a time when the majority of Nigerians are facing economic hardship due to the removal of fuel subsidy.

Advocacy group Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) called on the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to drop the plan to spend N40bn on 465 exotic and bulletproof cars for members and officials, and to repeal the 2022 Supplementary Appropriation Act to reduce the National Assembly budget by N110bn. SERAP emphasized the need to reflect current economic realities and address the impact of fuel subsidy removal on the over 137 million poor Nigerians.

Human rights activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, also criticized the move, stating that it was a breach of the constitution and a display of insensitivity. He pointed out that the National Assembly approved N500bn for 12 million indigent people, while allocating N70bn as palliatives to its members.

Presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore condemned the N70bn palliative, calling it political welfare for the elite. He argued that palliatives would not solve poverty in Nigeria and accused the government of treating the people like a conquered lot.

In response, the Senate defended the allocation, stating that it was part of their constitutional duty and that the funds would not be paid directly to legislators. The Chairman of the Committee on Media and Public Affairs stressed that the National Assembly complex requires urgent attention and maintenance, benefiting not only the legislators but also thousands of workers and service providers.

As public dissatisfaction grows, the issue remains contentious, and many Nigerians are calling for greater transparency and accountability in government spending.