Politics
THE Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has called on the leadership of the National Assembly to investigate the alleged allocation of more than ₦1.3 billion to the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC)/Presidential Economic Advisory Council in the 2026 Appropriation Act.
SERAP urged the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, to immediately disclose certified copies of all documents relating to the consideration and approval of the allocation of ₦1,302,978,784 to the council.
The organisation also called on the two presiding officers to invoke the National Assembly’s constitutional powers under Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to investigate the circumstances surrounding the inclusion of the allocation in the 2026 Appropriation Act.
According to SERAP, the investigation should identify anyone responsible for any irregularities associated with the budgetary provision.
It also requested certified copies of records identifying the National Assembly committees that considered the allocation, as well as the names and official designations of all public officers or representatives who appeared before the committees to defend the proposed budget.
SERAP said the request followed reports that the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC)/Presidential Economic Advisory Council received an allocation of more than ₦1.3 billion in the 2026 Appropriation Act.
The organisation, however, noted that the Presidency had publicly stated that the council was fictitious and had never been established by the Federal Government.
It said the conflicting accounts raised serious concerns about the integrity of Nigeria’s appropriation process, legislative oversight, public financial management and public accountability.
SERAP maintained that the National Assembly had a constitutional duty to thoroughly scrutinise Executive budget proposals before authorising public expenditure.
It added that lawmakers had a responsibility to ensure the Presidency and all government agencies remained accountable throughout the appropriation process and in the management of public funds.
F.O
Tags: Alleged Allocation NASS Probe SERAP