Wike Allocates N10 Billion for Rent, Furniture for National Assembly Leaders Amid Economic Struggles

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has earmarked ₦10 billion for rent and furniture for four presiding officers of the National Assembly, despite Nigeria’s ongoing economic challenges. This allocation, classified under the ₦288 billion supplementary budget for 2024, was submitted by President Bola Tinubu in September and swiftly passed by lawmakers within five days.

The budget item, titled “Renting and Furnishing of Presiding Officers of the National Assembly” and coded 23010309, benefits Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, and their deputies, Barau Jibrin and Ben Kalu. This expenditure follows similar high-profile allocations by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, including ₦21 billion for a mansion for Vice President Kashim Shettima and ₦25 billion for judicial housing projects.

The allocations occur against the backdrop of severe economic hardship, attributed to government policies like fuel subsidy removal and currency devaluation. Recent weeks have seen reports of stampedes as citizens scramble for food aid. Meanwhile, government spending on luxuries, including presidential jets and vehicles for lawmakers, has drawn widespread criticism.

Observers have questioned Wike’s spending pattern, which some interpret as a strategy to curry favor across the executive, judiciary, and legislature. However, the minister has repeatedly denied allegations of using public funds to compromise institutions.

The FCT’s decision to allocate funds for the presiding officers’ housing raises eyebrows, given the National Assembly’s record ₦344 billion annual budget, which includes funds for members’ expenses. Critics argue that the Assembly should address such needs independently, particularly as housing projects for its leaders have remained incomplete for years.

Since 2011, successive administrations have rented accommodations for National Assembly leaders, despite unfinished housing projects within Abuja’s Three-Arms Zone. These stalled projects, initiated under the Goodluck Jonathan administration, remain incomplete, with no apparent plans for revival.

In a letter dated September 11, Wike sought presidential approval for the supplementary budget, citing additional revenue inflows. The proposal allocated funds to 32 projects, including ₦20 billion for renovating the State Security Service (SSS) headquarters and ₦5 billion to judicial housing.

Yet, the specifics of the ₦10 billion rent and furniture allocation remain unclear. Questions about the type of accommodations, the cost of furnishing, and the necessity of such expenditure amidst economic hardship have gone unanswered. Efforts to obtain clarification from the FCT ministry and National Assembly spokespersons have been ignored, continuing a pattern of opacity in Wike’s administration.

Comparisons with other expenditures highlight the contentious nature of the allocation. For instance, the federal government has proposed ₦11.5 billion to construct 20,000 housing units under the Renewed Hope Agenda. This sum, intended to serve thousands, is only slightly higher than the amount set aside for four individuals. Additionally, the national housing program’s ₦5.3 billion budget for 2025 is half of the allocation for the presiding officers’ rent and furniture.