Amanze Chinonye
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked the leadership of the National Assembly to explain how more than ₦1.3 billion was allocated in the 2026 Appropriation Act to what the Presidency has described as a non-existent government body, Prime Business Africa reports.
In a Freedom of Information (FoI) request dated July 4, 2026, SERAP urged Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas to release certified copies of all documents relating to the approval of the ₦1,302,978,784 allocation to the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), also referred to as the Presidential Economic Advisory Council.
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The organisation also called on both chambers of the National Assembly to invoke their investigative powers under Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution to probe the circumstances surrounding the allocation and identify those responsible for any irregularities.
The request, signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, follows the Presidency’s public declaration that the PFIPC was never established by the Federal Government, describing it as a fictitious body.
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SERAP said the conflicting claims between the appropriation records and the Presidency’s position raise serious concerns about the credibility of Nigeria’s budget process, legislative oversight and public financial accountability.
The rights group also requested certified records identifying the National Assembly committees that considered the allocation, the lawmakers who handled it, and the public officials who appeared before the committees to defend the budget proposal.
It further asked lawmakers to clarify whether the allocation formed part of the Executive’s original Appropriation Bill or was introduced during the legislative process. SERAP also sought to know whether any concerns were raised about the legal status or operational mandate of the council before the budget was passed, and what action the National Assembly took in response.
According to the organisation, Nigerians have a constitutional right to know whether public funds were appropriated for an entity that was not legally established and, if so, how such an allocation found its way into the national budget.
“The Nigerian Constitution places significant responsibilities on the National Assembly in relation to the appropriation process,” SERAP said.
It argued that lawmakers are constitutionally required not only to approve the Executive’s budget proposals but also to scrutinise, debate and authorise public expenditure in line with the law.
SERAP maintained that disclosing the requested records would enable Nigerians to assess whether the National Assembly fulfilled its constitutional responsibilities under Sections 80, 81, 88 and 89 of the Constitution during the consideration of the 2026 budget.
The organisation gave the National Assembly seven days to provide the requested information, warning that it would institute legal proceedings if the request was not honoured.
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According to SERAP, making the records public would strengthen confidence in the National Assembly, promote transparency in the management of public resources and reinforce legislative accountability.
The group also cited the Freedom of Information Act, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the Tshwane Principles on the Right to Information, arguing that they collectively uphold citizens’ right to access information relating to the use of public funds and allegations of official misconduct.
The controversy over the PFIPC arose after budget documents showed that the body received a ₦1.3 billion allocation in the 2026 Appropriation Act, despite the Presidency’s insistence that no such council exists and was never established by the Federal Government.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
