NewStats: 3,264,948 , 8,185,186 topics. Date: Thursday, 12 June 2025 at 10:26 PM 385n1h

"INVESTIGATION: Despite economic hardship, Wike allocates N10bn for rent, furniture to Akpabio, Tajudeen, others."

The presiding officers of the National Assembly—Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, and their deputies, Barau Jibrin and Ben Kalu – were allocated N10 billion for rent and furniture in the 2024 supplementary budget of the FCT, TIMES investigation reveals.

The budget item, titled “Renting and Furnishing of Presiding Officers of the National Assembly”, has the classification code 23010309 in the N288 billion supplementary budget President Bola Tinubu transmitted to the National Assembly in September, which was ed within five days by the lawmakers. Under Nigeria’s bicameral legislative system, there are four presiding officers of the National Assembly: the Senate President, the Speaker, the Deputy Senate President, and the Deputy Speaker.

These four are the latest Nigerian government officials to receive lavish accommodation allowances or new housing projects from the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, whose “generosity” in the last 15 months includes a N21 billion residential mansion for Vice President Kashim Shettima. The Abuja minister also allocated N25 billion for the construction of houses for 40 judges. With the planned “rent and furniture” budget, Mr Wike appears to have extended his generosity across the three arms of government—executive, judiciary, and legislature.

The allocations come amidst the current economic hardships in Nigeria, which experts believe is due to the government’s policies of deregulation of the petroleum downstream sector and the devaluation of the naira. Within the last three weeks, dozens of Nigerians have died in stampedes while trying to collect food items.

The current istration has continued what many describe as “lavish spending” while preaching austerity measures for most Nigerians. Some of these expenditures include a $100 million presidential jet, the botched presidential yacht, luxurious sport utility vehicles for of the National Assembly, and others.

Mr Wike has in the past been accused of using some of this generous spending on institutions as a subtle means of compromising them, but he has denied the allegations.

istration of the FCT and ownership of public buildings
According to Section 299 of the 1999 Constitution, the president is the governor of the FCT, while the National Assembly serves as its legislative arm. Also, Section 302 of the Constitution gives the president the power to appoint someone as the Minister of the FCT to act on his behalf.

Mr Wike, a prominent member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was appointed by President Tinubu in what observers believe is a reward for the role the former Rivers State governor played during the presidential election in 2023.

The Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) owns several public buildings in the FCT, including the National Assembly Complex and other structures, through the Department of Public Buildings. Some of the buildings the department lists on its website include the Supreme Court Complex, the Presidential Complex, the Federal Ministry Building, the Assembly Complex, and others.

In 2022, the FCT spent over N42 billion to renovate part of the National Assembly Complex despite public outrage by Nigerians over the expenditure. In the past, of the National Assembly, including the four presiding officers, had their accommodations at the legislative quarters located in the Apo area of Abuja. However, the buildings were sold under the monetisation policy that started under Olusegun Obasanjo’s istration. Initially, all the buildings were sold except those for the presiding officers.

In the 6th Assembly, under the Umar Yar’Adua istration, the buildings were sold to the four presiding officers: Senate President David Mark, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, Speaker of the House of Representatives Dimeji Bankole, and Deputy Speaker Bayero Nafada.

In 2011, the government opted to build new houses for the presiding officers on the outskirts of the city in Katampe Extension, behind the Lungi Barracks. However, the lawmakers reportedly rejected the offer. Later, the Goodluck Jonathan istration started another project just for the four presiding officers. The project is located within the Three-Arms Zone, very close to the main gate of the National Assembly. For years, construction on the buildings has stalled despite several deadlines.

Despite this, TIMES learnt that the government has resorted to renting houses for all the presiding officers of the National Assembly since 2011. According to sources, Senate President Godswill Akpabio lives in a rented apartment in Maitama, a highbrow area of Abuja, while the Speaker lives in the Guzape District.

The 2024 Supplementary Budget
Mr Wike, in a letter dated 11 September, and addressed to President Tinubu, requested additional spending of N288 billion as a supplementary budget for the FCT. He listed some of the projects the funds are meant for. Under the capital component, the supplementary budget contains a total of 32 projects.

“The purpose of this letter is to seek the approval of Your Excellency for the second Supplementary Budget presentation to the National Assembly, a Supplementary Budget to the 2024 Statutory Appropriation Act of the Federal Capital Territory istration (FCTA) in the sum of N288,000,000,000.00, necessitated with a view to accommodate additional inflows from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and Miscellaneous Revenues in the sums of N8,000,000,000.00 and N280,000,000,000.00 respectively,” Mr Wike said in the letter.

The request by the minister was approved by the president, who subsequently transmitted the supplementary budget to the National Assembly for approval. This request was approved by the lawmakers and ed. Of the 32 projects, 22 were existing ones that received additional funding, while 10 new projects were introduced into the FCT budget.

For instance, the N25 billion earmarked for the construction of houses for judges got an additional N5 billion, increasing the budgetary allocation to N30 billion. In addition to the legislature, the FCT also allocated N20 billion for the renovation of the State Security Service (SSS) headquarters in Abuja.

Unanswered Questions
The N10 billion budgetary provision for the presiding officers is vague and raises a number of questions: What kind of rent? What kind of furniture? Why is the FCT paying the rent of these officers when the National Assembly has its own budget? Why is the FCT spending N10 billion on rents and furnishing when there are existing housing projects for these same officials?

The National Assembly has its own budget, and to guarantee the independence of the institution, it receives its funds under the statutory transfer instrument. That is, its budget is given in a lump sum and not broken down. In the past couple of years, the National Assembly’s budget has continued to grow despite fiscal constraints.

In the current fiscal cycle, the National Assembly has a budget of N344 billion, the highest ever. Ordinarily, one would have expected the federal legislature to use these funds to address all its needs, including the rent for its presiding officers. Why is the National Assembly not paying the rent for its presiding officers despite this record allocation? Also, there is an abandoned housing project for these same officers that has remained uncompleted for close to a decade.

TIMES gathered that the buildings, located within the Three-Arms Zone, are intended for the Senate President, Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and Deputy Senate President. However, these four buildings, which have been roofed and plastered, still remain incomplete over a decade after construction began. Why is the FCT not spending the N10 billion to complete these buildings instead of allocating funds for rent and furniture?

To get answers to these questions, this newspaper submitted a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to the office of the Minister of the FCT to seek clarification on the planned expenditure, addressing some of the questions raised. However, the ministry ignored the request.

This appears to be a recurring pattern under Mr Wike’s istration, where the budgets of the FCT are not made public, and requests for information are routinely ignored. TIMES has submitted several FOI requests to the ministry in the past, all of which were disregarded.

Similarly, the spokespersons of the Senate and the House of Representatives did not respond to requests for comments.Senate spokesperson Yemi Aderamodu neither answered calls placed to his phone nor responded to a text message sent via WhatsApp.

Meanwhile, Akin Rotimi, the spokesperson for the House, initially answered a call placed to his phone and requested that the questions be sent to him via text. However, after the message was sent, he did not answer subsequent calls.

Putting The Expenditure in Context.
To understand the significance of this N10 billion allocated for the four individuals, it is essential to compare it with other similar expenditures.

For instance, in the proposed 2025 budget, the federal government allocated N11.5 billion for the construction of 20,000 housing units under the Renewed Hope Agenda Housing Scheme. While this project could potentially serve 20,000 households, these four individuals are allocated N10 billion for rent.

Additionally, in the proposed 2025 budget, the federal government’s national housing programme (nationwide) has an allocation of N5.3 billion. This amount is approximately 50 per cent of the N10 billion set aside for the rent and furniture of four individuals.

Just before embarking on the end-of-the-year holiday, lawmakers in the lower chamber pooled half of their salaries into a fund to the government in addressing economic hardship.

The total contribution amounted to N704 million, which the House stated would be presented to President Tinubu for distribution to vulnerable of society. However, this N704 million is just 7.4 per cent of the N10 billion allocated for the rent of Mr Tajudeen and his three colleagues.

This allocation to the four presiding officers underscores what many describe as insensitivity and a lack of transparency in the use of public funds.

https://www.timesng.com/features-and-interviews/764688-investigation-despite-economic-hardship-wike-allocates-n10bn-for-rent-furniture-to-akpabio-tajudeen-two-others.html

Structure of corruption

Wike solidifying his Abuja base as he has lost his home base.

Those who helped them get there are still suffering moltydaimenshional Povatti

By the time these set of crooks are done with you guys, you will stop ing corrupt people.

Thieves everywhere

"When a leader engages in criminal activities, it sets a dangerous precedent, eroding trust in governance and fostering a culture of corruption.Instead of inspiring hope and progress, this kind of leadership only normalizes unethical behavior.

It sends a message that criminality and impunity are acceptable pathways to power and success. This undermines institutions, destabilizes the economy, and discourages honest, hardworking citizens from striving for better.

Under such circumstances, expecting the country to move forward becomes unrealistic. The only thing likely to thrive is a culture of crime, dishonesty, and lawlessness. It is a sad reality when leadership, which should serve as a beacon of integrity and development, instead becomes synonymous with corruption and malpractice.

They are dishing out renew shege proximus to Nigerians including their deadbeat mummified zombies who kept on cheering them on despite their suffering. Bunch of rogues being led by a super rogue.

PresidObi:
Structure of corruption.. Those who helped them get there are still suffering moltydaimenshional Povatti. By the time these set of crooks are done with you guys, you will stop ing corrupt people.

It is doubtful! Stockholm syndrome stuck ers are still hero - worshipping these heartless leaders. See Yahaya Bello recently. They kept sending "prayer request to their emails" while asking the downtrodden to continue to tighten their belts for more pain and hardships. Nigeria is a criminal enterprise.

Is this a new practice, I just want to know.

You will see how this will all turn out to be lies.

Nothing new under Tinubulation.

Agbado people don suffer tire

Jesus!

Why can't all these political stakeholders fund for themselves. What are their salaries meant for? I really don't understand

Why it's Wike that budgeted them. What happens to all Senate allowances

Double expenses

Softmirror:
You will see how this will all turn out to be lies.

The National Assembly has its own budget, and to guarantee the independence of the institution, it receives its funds under the statutory transfer instrument. That is, its budget is given in a lump sum and not broken down. In the past couple of years, the National Assembly’s budget has continued to grow despite fiscal constraints.

In the current fiscal cycle, the National Assembly has a budget of N344 billion, the highest ever. Ordinarily, one would have expected the federal legislature to use these funds to address all its needs, including the rent for its presiding officers.

Why is the National Assembly not paying the rent for its presiding officers despite this record allocation? Also, there is an abandoned housing project for these same officers that has remained uncompleted for close to a decade. Why is the FCT not spending the N10 billion to complete these buildings instead of allocating funds for rent and furniture?

Racoon:

https://www.timesng.com/features-and-interviews/764688-investigation-despite-economic-hardship-wike-allocates-n10bn-for-rent-furniture-to-akpabio-tajudeen-two-others.html

It's well with this country that's all I can say..if Peter obi respond to this many foolish idiot will still come and defend this corruption we are seeing...obi spoke about reducing cost of governance but they said he talks too much...how can a country that is the poverty capital of the world makes progress with such corrupt leaders who only think about themselves and their pocket

Wow! Just wow... Fantastic

Softmirror:
You will see how this will all turn out to be lies.

when it comes to stealing,every agbero wants it to be lie.i thought they pay you guys from what they stole to defend them

These guys are stealing everything within sight.

Wike is highly corrupt and prideful in corrupt way. I thank God Fubara has dealt a serious blow to fucking ego, otherwise Rivers allocation would have been funding his lavish lifestyle

How much was allocated to teaching hospitals. 27 billion

This is sad 😭

Rich gets Richer. Poor Man gets poorer.

Where is the good governance we are all craving for?

Sobs 😭😭😭

marksonrick:
Is this a new practice, I just want to know.

Old stealing practice but now called a new name..."bold move"...... and it's the only move otherwise Nigeria would have died...

Lanre1st:
Why it's Wike that budgeted them. What happens to all Senate allowances

Double expenses

Oho...ask them o!

We're tired of this country,

Poor and insincere leadership.

one day
Monkey go
Enter market
Monkey
Will not
Come back home

10b is small money

What of the one allocated to him by the senate ? So he is receiving two allocation for furniture allowance or what ?

Which kind country be this

Softmirror:
You will see how this will all turn out to be lies.

Only one zombie so far. More will summon courage and show their faces soon

We know from the onset that only the masses will bear the brunt of their economic reforms. We are too docile in this country and that's why these leaders are taking us for granted. The other time that this foolish and corrupt Akapabio was praising Wike, I know their is undertone to everything. Thank God we are seeing everything clearly now. Tinubu has nothing to offer the masses except suffering and extreme hardship. Thank God I can take care of myself and my family. Masses should continue to vote these evil leaders. They are yet to see anything.

10 Billion for rent?!!

How much to build the same house?!


...I understand that everybody, from Mr. President to ministers, is rotten with corruption, but can't they have the presence of mind to steal with some dignity and respect for the collective intelligence of their citizens?!!

Nothing will be done about this. This country is breeding and nurturing corruption. All the arms of govt is nothing to write home about. And some people think their problems comes from one region of the country. What a shame

🥱

N10 billion ($6.3 million)for rent for a few people in a country where
Minimum wage for a whole month”s work is less than $50