Mr. Femi Falana, a human rights lawyer, has called upon the National Assembly to allocate N110 billion to the 360 federal constituencies across the country. He emphasized that this allocation would significantly help ease the economic hardships faced by Nigerians due to the removal of fuel subsidy by the Bola Tinubu’s administration.
In a statement titled “Reasons for the Allocation of N110 Billion to 360 Constituencies by the National Assembly,” Falana accused the legislators of designating an extra N70 billion for the renovation of the National Assembly complex, while the earlier N37 billion allotted for the same purpose remained unaccounted for.
The outspoken lawyer also insisted on the reimbursement of N40 billion reportedly utilized to acquire bulletproof cars for the National Assembly leaders, without the proper authorization from the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).
According to the statement, “At some point in 2020, the National Assembly members unanimously sanctioned N37 billion for the renovation of the National Assembly Complex. The exorbitant cost of the complex’s repairs was met with widespread criticism, especially considering the allocation of N128 billion to the National Assembly in the 2020 Appropriation Act.
“Former Senate President Ahmad Lawan defended the renovation fund, explaining that the National Assembly building had not been refurbished for two decades. He noted that upon the 9th National Assembly’s commencement, certain sections of the property were found to be deteriorated.
“We have verified that the N37 billion renovation of the complex remains unfinished. Interestingly, members of both houses of the National Assembly have mistakenly approved another N70 billion for the renovation of the same complex, without requesting a reassessment of the N37 billion renovation contract.”
Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), added, “We have also ascertained that the N40 billion for the procurement of bulletproof cars for the National Assembly leaders lacked the necessary authorization from the RMAFC.
“Hence, a total sum of N110 billion should be equitably distributed among the 360 federal constituencies across the nation. With each constituency receiving no less than 305 million, this allocation would greatly mitigate the severe economic hardships inflicted on the Nigerian populace due to the Bola Tinubu administration’s removal of fuel subsidy.”
Meanwhile, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), a civil rights advocacy group, criticized the 10th National Assembly (NASS) for attempting to hinder nationwide protests organized by labor unions against President Bola Tinubu administration’s policies that are deemed detrimental to the people.
HURIWA also urged the National Industrial Court and the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal not to allow the substantial N30 billion fund recently allocated by Tinubu for the judiciary as fuel price hike palliative to influence their rulings on cases brought before the National Industrial Court by the federal government. These cases aimed to use legal measures to prevent the oppressed workers, represented by the Nigeria Labour Congress, from going on strike due to the administration’s repeated increases in fuel prices.
Furthermore, HURIWA urged the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal to impartially administer justice and not let the government’s intended monetary inducement of N30 billion as palliative affect the outcomes of petitions challenging the validity of the February 25th Presidential Election.
In a statement by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA emphasized that the legislature, controlled by the All Progressives Congress (APC) government, lacks the authority to alter the principles of free speech and democratic values, including the right of workers to strike, which are safeguarded by numerous laws in Nigeria and international labor agreements endorsed and adopted by Nigeria.
