#Budget Padding, Corruption and our Lawmakers -By Abdulsalam Jubril

Abdulsalam Jubril

Many Nigerians are still reeling from the billions or should I say trillions of naira that were stolen and exposed courtesy of the #Dasukigate scandal and other egregious corrupt practices of many government officials during the previous administration. Currently, we are faced with yet another mind-boggling corruption scandal in the form of #Budget Padding. Sadly though, this is happening after the Finance Minister has formally declared that the economy is in recession. Living standard is drastically falling, we are facing hard times, things are tough and there is hunger in the land; yet, huge sums of money are fraudulently and systematically carted off our corrupt politicians and government officials.

The current whistle-blowing, albeit belated, of the numerous corrupt practices within the lower legislative chamber in respect to the 2016 budget buttresses the fact of the humongous sharp practices going on in the hallowed chamber. The exposé of how our “Honorable” members were busy padding the budget with fictitious constituency projects, contributing to the gridlock that stalled the approval of the 2016 budget, goes to show the pervasive stench of corruption in our land. It all began when news began making rounds that the former Chairman of the Appropriation Committee, Abdulmumin Jibril resigned or was sacked (we are still not clear on that) and was immediately replaced. Many political observers knew trouble was brewing in paradise as the duo (the Speaker and former Chairman) were well-known associates. In fact, the former Chairman of the Appropriation Committee was one of the ardent supporters of the Speaker, ensuring he was elected as the Speaker of the House of Reps.

However, barely 24-hours had elapsed when the former Chairman began accusing four principal officers of the House (the Speaker, his Deputy, the Chief Whip and the Minority Leader) of corruption and budget padding. The quartet under the umbrella of the House subsequently refuted the allegations, instead, blaming the former Chairman for the budget padding and also coming up with more accusations of theirs against the former Chairman. With the much touted anti-corruption stance of the present administration, one wonders why the anti-corruption agencies haven’t swooped in on them yet. To the best of my knowledge, our lawmakers do not have any immunity from prosecution under the Constitution unlike the President, his Vice and Governors. Both parties have already admitted they have evidence substantiating their allegations. So what are they waiting for? This is not an intra-party affair, neither is it a House affair, but a Nigerian one. The allegations involve graft and abuse of office and the anti-corruption agencies should treat it as such.

In the upper legislative chambers on the other hand, after the Tinubu-Melaye saga, those chanting “Saraki must go” would have to wait because it appears to have hit yet another clog. The recent appointment of the Senators, who were formerly opposed to the election of the Senate President to head of “juicy” committees, was indeed a stroke of genius on the part of the Senate President, knowing the stomach politics ideology of our politicians. Having appeased his erstwhile foes, the Senate President can heave a huge sigh of relieve, primed for future battles over his removal that is sure to come. While the whistle-blowing is not unconnected to a falling out between the Speaker and the former Chairman of the Appropriations committee in the House of Rep., accusations and counter-accusations are still ensuing. The bottom line from all indications is that the budget was illegally padded by our “Honorable” members. Whether it was perpetuated by the former Chairman or the four principal officers or other members of the House, it is left for the anti-corruption agencies to find out and prosecute the culprits.

Towing the line of former President Obasanjo, President Buhari should make the already scarce funds available for only expenditures that were legally budgeted for. The constituency projects as being canvassed by lawmakers from all indications are illegal, criminal and wrapped in corruption. Finally, the House should not be allowed to be the judge, jury and executioner over this issue. The House must not be allowed to conduct the investigation on its own; as the resultant effect would be that the issue at hand would be swept under the carpet like many other corruption allegations before this. If equity, fairness and justice are sacred to the present crop of lawmakers, then they should allow the EFCC and ICPC to investigate the lawmakers who attempted to illegally add line items to the 2016 appropriation bill. As with every institution, there must be full accountability for any leader or member of the House found to be responsible for corruption and abuse of office.

Written by Abdulsalam Jubril.
You can follow me on Twitter via @Abdul_Jubril