SERAP Criticizes Wike’s N15bn Allocation For Vice-President’s Residence

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Projects has raised objections to the plans of the Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, to allocate N15bn for a ‘suitable residence’ for Vice-President Kashim Shettima.

The group also criticized the N2.8bn budget for publicity, emphasizing that the expenditure was deemed unnecessary and wasteful.

SERAP expressed its opposition to these budgetary allocations in a statement released on Sunday by Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare.

Oluwadare called on Senate President Godswill Akpabio to use his constitutional authority in rejecting Wike’s plans to spend a substantial amount, which he labeled as ‘unnecessary and wasteful.’ This appeal comes at a crucial time when the country is grappling with a mounting debt profile.

“The plan to spend N15bn on ‘a befitting residence’ for the Vice President is a fundamental breach of the Nigerian Constitution and the country’s international anti-corruption and human rights obligations.

“The National Assembly, including the Senate, has a constitutional responsibility to address the country’s debt crisis, including by rejecting wasteful and unnecessary spending to satisfy the personal comfort and lifestyles of public officials.

“The National Assembly cannot continue to fail to fulfill its oversight function. The Senate must assert and demonstrate its independence by checking and rejecting all wasteful and unnecessary spending by the executive.

“It would be a grave violation of the public trust and constitutional oath of office for the Senate to approve the plan to spend N15bn on ‘a befitting residence’ for the vice president at a time when the Federal Government is set to spend 30 percent (that is, N8.25 trillion) of the country’s 2024 budget of N27.5tn on debt service costs.”

The group revealed that an initial allocation of N7bn was designated for constructing the Vice-President’s residence.

It emphasized a readiness to take legal action against the National Assembly if it does not intervene to halt extravagant spending and the ongoing borrowing practices of the Federal Government.

“The Federal Government also plans to borrow N7.8 trillion to fund the 2024 budget. Nigeria’s public debt stood at 87.4 trillion naira as of June with 38% owed to external creditors including multilateral and commercial lenders. The National Assembly has also approved another N3 billion for the renovation of the vice president’s residence in Lagos State. Mr Wike also plans to spend N2.8bn on publicity for the FCTA.

“Should the Senate and its leadership fail to stop wasteful and unnecessary spending and rein in government borrowing, SERAP would consider appropriate legal action to compel the National Assembly including the Senate to discharge its constitutional oversight roles in the public interest.

“SERAP urges you to refer to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission the allegations of corruption in the spending of the previously approved N7bn for the construction of a new residence for the vice president,” the letter noted.

KanyiDaily recalls that Nyesom Wike had committed to prioritizing infrastructure development before allocating land in the territory.