Reject Wike’s Plan To Spend N15bn On ‘Befitting Residence’ For VP, Group Tells Akpabio
There have been calls for Godswill Akpabio, the Senate President, to reject what is supposedly an initiative by Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, to construct a “befitting residence” for Senator Kashim Shettima, the Vice President.
Social and Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) urged Akpabio in a letter dated December 2 to “immediately reject the plan by the Minister of the FCT, Nysom Wike to spend N15 billion for the construction of ‘a befitting residence’ for the Vice President, Mr. Kashim Shettima.”
“Demand the Senate’s authority and constitutional oversight roles to reject the N2.8 billion on publicity for the FCTA and other proposed wasteful and unnecessary spending that may be contained in the 2023 supplementary budget and the 2024 budget proposed by President Bola Tinubu,” the statement read.
This was revealed in a statement made public on Sunday by Kolawole Oluwadari, the deputy director of SERAP.
In accordance with his oath of office and other constitutional obligations, the Senate must verify that Governor Wike’s proposed budget is fully comply with all sections of the constitution.
The statement emphasised that all public authorities are still bound by the rule of law.
Rejecting wasteful and needless expenditure to satisfy the personal comfort and lifestyles of public officials is one way the National Assembly, including the Senate, can handle the country’s debt situation, which is a constitutional obligation.
“The National Assembly must resume its oversight duties immediately. The Senate needs to show its independence by refusing to approve any spending that is superfluous or wasteful.
Considering that the federal government is projected to allocate 30%, or N8.25 trillion, of the country’s 2024 budget of N27.5 trillion for debt service costs, the group asserts that the Senate’s approval of the plan to spend N15 billion on a “befitting residence” for the vice president would constitute a serious breach of the public trust and constitutional oath of office.