Wike allocates N10b for rent, furniture of National Assembly presiding officers amid economic hardship

This allocation has sparked widespread outrage amidst the current economic hardships in Nigeria.

The budget item, titled “Renting and Furnishing of Presiding Officers of the National Assembly,” was included in the N288 billion supplementary budget transmitted to the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu in September.

The lawmakers approved the budget within five days.

The four presiding officers – Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, and their deputies, Barau Jibrin and Ben Kalu – are the latest beneficiaries of the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike’s, “generosity.”

Wike has previously allocated N21 billion for a residential mansion for Vice President Kashim Shettima and N25 billion for the construction of houses for 40 judges.

Critics argue that this allocation is excessive and insensitive, especially considering the economic challenges many Nigerians face.

The country is currently experiencing widespread poverty, with dozens of people dying in stampedes while trying to collect food items.

The National Assembly has its own budget, which has continued to grow despite fiscal constraints.

In the current fiscal cycle, the National Assembly has a budget of N344 billion, the highest ever.

Many question why the FCT is paying the rent of these officers when the National Assembly has its own budget.

Furthermore, there is an abandoned housing project for the presiding officers that has remained uncompleted for close to a decade.

The FCT could have spent the N10 billion to complete these buildings instead of allocating funds for rent and furniture.

The allocation has also raised concerns about transparency and accountability in the use of public funds. The Minister of the FCT has been accused of using generous spending on institutions as a subtle means of compromising them, which he has denied.

As the controversy surrounding the allocation continues to grow, many Nigerians are calling for greater transparency and accountability in the use of public funds.