By Ono Yima
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has vehemently condemned the allocation of N10 billion for the rent and furnishing of residences for National Assembly presiding officers in the 2024 supplementary budget. The group described the move as a blatant case of “state capture,” warning that such fiscal irresponsibility compromises the independence of democratic institutions and undermines the public interest.
HURIWA’s criticism follows a media report revealing that the allocation, labeled under the budget item “Renting and Furnishing of Presiding Officers of the National Assembly,” is intended for Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, and their deputies, Barau Jibrin and Ben Kalu. This controversial expense was part of the N288 billion supplementary budget submitted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in September and approved within just five days.
“This is not governance; it is state capture in its most glaring form,” HURIWA stated. “Allocating N10 billion for rent and furniture for four individuals, while millions of Nigerians languish in poverty, is not only insensitive but reeks of a deliberate strategy to compromise institutional independence.”
The association accused the executive branch of leveraging public funds to foster dependency within the legislature and judiciary, institutions meant to act as checks on executive power. “The profligate allocation is part of a broader pattern where public resources are deployed to silence dissent and curry favor, rather than address pressing issues facing the people,” HURIWA added.
A Misplaced Priority Amid Hardship
HURIWA expressed particular outrage over the timing of the allocation, which comes amid rising inflation, economic hardship, and food insecurity. The group highlighted the glaring disparity between the N10 billion budgeted for the luxury of a few individuals and the N11.5 billion allocated for the construction of 20,000 housing units under the Renewed Hope Agenda Housing Scheme, which would benefit thousands of families.
“This disparity underscores the insensitivity of those in power to the plight of ordinary Nigerians,” the association said. “While dozens die in food stampedes, the government prioritizes furnishing homes for four officials.”
Lack of Transparency and Accountability
HURIWA also criticized the opacity surrounding the allocation, noting that investigative journalists have been unable to obtain clarifications from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Ministry despite repeated Freedom of Information (FOI) requests. “This culture of secrecy is unacceptable in a democracy. Nigerians have a right to know how their funds are being spent and to challenge expenditures that fail to align with the public good,” HURIWA emphasized.
The association questioned why the FCT Ministry is covering these expenses, given the National Assembly’s record-high budget of N344 billion for the current fiscal year. It also pointed to the abandoned housing projects for the same officers in the Three-Arms Zone, which have been incomplete for over a decade. “Instead of wasting N10 billion on rent and furniture, why not use the funds to complete these long-overdue projects?” HURIWA asked.
Demands for Action
HURIWA called on President Tinubu to intervene and redirect the funds toward more pressing national needs, such as healthcare, education, and food security. The group urged the National Assembly to reject the allocation and demonstrate fiscal responsibility.
“The legislature must resist being an accomplice in this misuse of public resources. It is time to restore the dignity and independence of our democratic institutions,” HURIWA asserted.
Governance, the association stressed, must prioritize the welfare of the people over the personal comfort of a privileged few. “In a country where millions lack basic amenities, spending N10 billion on rent and furniture for four individuals is a slap in the face of every hardworking Nigerian. This is not just financial recklessness; it is a moral failing of leadership,” HURIWA concluded.
HURIWA urged Nigerians to demand greater accountability from their leaders and to advocate for governance that places the needs of the people above political expediency. “Our democracy cannot afford to be held hostage by a culture of impunity and waste,” the association said.