The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has called on the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to disapprove the plan by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike to spend ₦15 billion for the construction of a ‘befitting residence’ for the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima.
The call was made by SERAP’s deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, in a statement on Sunday.
SERAP, in the letter dated December 2, specifically wants Akpabio “to promptly reject the plan by the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike to spend ₦15 billion for the construction of ‘a befitting residence’ for the Vice President, Mr Kashim Shettima.”
It urged Akpabio to “assert Senate’s authority and constitutional oversight roles to reject the ₦2.8 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 Senate has the constitutional duties to ensure that Mr Wike’s proposed spending is entirely consistent and compatible with constitutional provisions including his oath of office. All public officials remain subject to the rule of law,” the statement read.
“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.”
