Amid Economic Hardship Wike Allocates N10bn For Rent, Furniture To National Assembly Leaders

The presiding officers of Nigeria’s National Assembly—Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, and their deputies, Barau Jibrin and Ben Kalu—have been allocated ₦10 billion for rent and furniture in the 2024 supplementary budget for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This revelation, uncovered by a PREMIUM TIMES investigation, has sparked widespread criticism given the country’s ongoing economic challenges. The budgetary provision, classified under code 23010309 as “Renting and Furnishing of Presiding Officers of the National Assembly,” is part of a ₦288 billion supplementary budget submitted by President Bola Tinubu to the National Assembly in September. The budget was approved by lawmakers within five days.

This allocation is the latest in a series of large expenditures linked to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, whose administration has been marked by high-profile housing projects. These include a ₦21 billion residential mansion for Vice President Kashim Shettima and a ₦25 billion allocation for houses for 40 judges, which was later increased to ₦30 billion in the supplementary budget.

Wike’s spending has faced criticism as Nigerians grapple with economic hardship caused by fuel subsidy removal and naira devaluation. Reports of stampedes over food distribution in recent weeks have highlighted the country’s economic struggles. Observers suggest the allocations may serve as a subtle means of currying favor across the three arms of government: the executive, judiciary, and legislature. Wike has denied these allegations.

source: reportafrique.com

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