Wike, Akpabio, Speaker Tajudeen Under Fire Over N10 Billion Allocation, Details Surface

TheTalk.NG journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering politics and governance.

FCT, Abuja – Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), has allocated N10 billion for furniture and rent to the presiding officers of the national assembly.

As reported by Premium Times on Thursday, January 2, Senate President Godswill Akpabio; speaker of the house of representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; and their deputies, Barau Jibrin and Benjamin Kalu; all benefitted from the money.

Controversial allocation by Wike elicits criticism.
Photo credits: @GovWike, @SPNigeria, @Speaker_AbbasSource: Twitter

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 Ahmed Tinubu transmitted to the national assembly in September 2024. Recall the budget was passed within five days by the lawmakers.

The allocation comes amid the current economic hardship being endured by the Nigerian masses.

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 supportive role the former Rivers state governor played during the presidential election in 2023.

The N10 billion budgetary provision for the presiding officers raises questions because the national assembly has its own budget.

Meanwhile, Premium Times stated that it submitted a freedom of information (FOI) request to Wike’s office to seek comments on the discovery, but the ministry ignored the request.

Controversial allocation by Wike: Nigerians react

Following the revelation of the controversial allocation, some Nigerians on X (formerly Twitter) shared their thoughts.

TheTalk.NG captures some comments below:

@geoffreydpr said:

“You all are paid salaries, why can’t you all live like every civil servant, you all hve houses in Abuja, yet ready to take from Nigeria just for your selfishness, asking Nigeria to suffer for you as a tilling class is kind of regrettable that I wait till date to see what Nigerian will say nobody talk about it is sad.”

@ajahgabriel11 said:

“People that are bent on ruining Nigeria.”

@MagajiIsma53493 wrote:

“Spending borrowed money anyhow.”

Wike defends decision to back Tinubu in 2023

Earlier, TheTalk.NG reported that Wike revealed that he has no regret for supporting President Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election.

The FCT minister said that though he was threatened before the 2023 elections for supporting Tinubu, he would do the same thing if another opportunity came.

Source: TheTalk.NG

2027 Presidency: El-Rufai Reacts To Report Of Dumping APC For PDP

TheTalk.NG journalist Adekunle Dada has over 7 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international events FCT, Abuja – The immediate past governor of Kaduna state, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has urged members of the public to disregard rumour of him dumping the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). El-Rufai said ... Read more Continue reading here ▶

Prominent APC Senator Opens Up On Governorship Ambition

The senator representing Ogun West, Solomon Adeola, has described the 2027 Ogun state governorship talks as premature Senator Adeola said he would speak up about his ambition to become the governor of Ogun state at the right time The chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation is one of the leading aspirants on the platform ... Read more Continue reading here ▶

2027: Expert Speaks on What Would Happen if Peter Obi, Kwankwaso Form Alliance to Displace APC

Most political events and activities across Nigeria in recent times indicate that the build-up to the 2027 presidential election has started TheTalk.NG reports that some heavyweight politicians are speculated to be behind a proposed merger, in a bid to democratically displace the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) An expert spoke on what would happen if ... Read more Continue reading here ▶

Tax Reform Bills: Tinubu Takes Fresh Action, Details Emerge

Some northern elites are still opposed to the federal government’s proposed tax reform bills The northern stakeholders demanded the bills’ immediate suspension and called for extensive dialogue with the people who matter A fresh report said Tinubu is determined to address Nigeria’s challenges and implement reforms, hence, he has sent representatives to go and speak ... Read more Continue reading here ▶

2027: ‘It Would be Difficult to Rig Presidential Election,’ Group, Gives Reason

The Coalition of Southern Groups (CSG) has expressed concern over the rising prices of essential commodities such as rice, flour, sugar and cement In an interview, the group’s chairman believes the APC administration is getting more and more unpopular CSG explained that if the 2027 presidential election is free and fair, it would be difficult ... Read more Continue reading here ▶