Politics
N37bn NASS Renovation: When A Budget Becomes A Burden
The N37 billion earmarked for the renovation of phase one of the National Assembly which comprises of the two chambers, the dome, committee rooms and offices within the White House, has sent shivers down the spines of many Nigerians.
Instead of sinking such huge sum in one building that is still very much alive, some Nigerians wonder why a country described as the poverty headquarters of the world, where its citizens cannot afford three square meals in a day could be so careless with money.
The money, some school of thought pointed out, can generate job opportunities for Nigerian citizens and remove hunger and poverty from many homes.
Many Nigerians who read or heard about the amount earmarked for the renovation, asked if the money is meant to construct another National Assembly from its foundation, noting that the sum, if judiciously used, could build many schools, hospitals and many other things needed for the wellbeing of this nation.
A critical analysis of the money shows that it is more than the budgets of some ministries, departments and agencies.
For a country with the problems of power, infrastructural development, good roads, food security, housing deficit among others, to have earmarked such a huge amount of money for the renovation of a building built with just N7 billion in 1999, shows that Nigeria is drifting towards a dark tunnel.
Ajaokuta Steel, which many experts said would create so many job opportunities for Nigerians, has been laying waste over the years because of lack of funds to put finishing touches to the project.
Analysts have also taken a critical look at the policy statement and decision of government some times and concluded that many of the problems facing the country are misplaced priorities.
The educational sector in the country, which is supposed to be given priority in the scheme of things, is begging for serious attention and most of the infrastructures are decayed and in some cases, children receive lectures in the open, while some schools cannot boast of good buildings, seats or tables.
A critical analysis of the budget shows that the increase of the 2020 budget by N264 billion, increased some subheads. President Muhammadu Buhari had presented a budget of N10.33 to the National Assembly, which was increased by the lawmakers to N10.59 trillion.
However, the increase in the budget has resulted in the hike of many sub heads in the aspects of the budget that related to the National Assembly.
Apart from the statutory allocation which increased from N125 billion to N128 billion, the N10 billion earlier proposed for some renovation work at the National Assembly was increased to N37 billion. The renovation is the responsibility of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).
Some Nigerians have raised concern over the increase and are telling the government to be sensitive to the plight of the people, as the lopsided attitude of the government towards the people is fuelling insecurity, hatred and bottled up anger that can explode at any given time.
The explanation of the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, that the complex, built about 20 years ago, was now rather dilapidated, didn’t go down well with many Nigerians.
Lawan had said that “when we resumed office (at) the National Assembly Complex, we noticed that many parts of the National Assembly complex were dilapidated.
“We convened a meeting involving the management of the National Assembly, the Federal Capital Development Authority, Speaker of the House of Representatives and I. We had an exhaustive engagement. The Speaker and I later met with Mr. President and we told him the situation of the complex.
“Since the takeover of the complex, there was never, ever, any major rehabilitation or renovation, 20 years ago. Mr. President responded by telling us that he was going to renovate the National Assembly. We went back to continue the engagement with the National Assembly management and the FCDA.
“Eventually, we took what is required to renovate the phase one of the project. This includes the two chambers, the dome and other committee rooms and offices within the White House.
“N37bn was sourced and was approved and put under the FCT, not under the National Assembly.”
Lawan had said that the project would be executed by the FCDA because the National Assembly is a national monument, adding that “all we require is to have the National Assembly complex renovated, including the reconfiguration of the two chambers and of the Press Centre.
“We have the opportunity, after 20 years, to embark on the renovation of phase one (of the) building of the National Assembly. When we are through with the phase one, we will go to phase two.”
Reacting to this development, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had described the N37 billion claimed to be for the renovation of the National Assembly complex as an unpardonable rip-off plot and a last straw of alleged corruption that pervades the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC administration.
The party said it is indefensible for the Buhari Presidency to propose a whooping N37 billion for renovation work on the National Assembly complex, which was built at the cost of N7 billion.
The main opposition party in the country, in a statement by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan had said, “our party insists that the over 500 percent padding of the original construction cost is completely insupportable even with the prevailing costs and exchange rate regime, a development that has already spurred public outcry and apprehensions of plots to divert the fund for political interests of certain APC leaders.
“The over bloated renovation figure is therefore not only sacrilegious but also further confirms that the APC-led administration is overtly corrupt and only out to steal, drain and divert our national resources for selfish purposes of certain individuals in the present administration.”
Aside the PDP, other Nigerians have also condemned the whopping sum budgeted for the renovation of National Assembly complex, insisting that if government is sensitive and sincere with the people, with the level of poverty and insecurity in the land, such would not have been contemplated.
The N37 billion, which is embedded in the budget of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), has already been approved by President Buhari.
Will the cry and the condemnation trailing the budgeted sum change the narrative and will the federal government listen to the voice and opinion of the people and use the money for other pressing needs?
Like the PDP said, the burden of explanation is on Mr. President’s doorsteps.
Politics
Reps Constitution Review Committee Holds Zonal Hearing For Rivers, C’River, Akwa Ibom In Calabar
A press statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Cross River State Governor, Mr Linus Obogo, disclosed that the Calabar Centre — designated as Centre B — will host representatives and stakeholders from Cross River, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom States.
The public hearing is scheduled to take place on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at the Transcorp (Metropolitan) Hotel, Calabar.
The initiative, according to the statement, is designed to promote inclusive dialogue and capture the aspirations of Nigerians from all regions.
It aims to serve as a platform for citizens to contribute meaningfully to the ongoing national efforts to refine and strengthen the country’s legal and institutional frameworks.
“Citizens, civil society groups, professional bodies, traditional rulers, and other interest blocs are invited to participate in this landmark engagement aimed at advancing a more just, equitable, and responsive Nigerian Constitution,” the statement read.
The hearing forms part of the broader review process of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and is seen as a strategic move toward fostering national unity and addressing structural legal issues within the federation.
For the first time since 2022, when then-presidential aspirant Alhaji Bola Tinubu declared he made former President Buhari Nigeria’s President in 2015, Mr Mustapha dismissed the claims, stressing that the merger only contributed about three million votes in addition to Buhari’s existing 12 million votes in the North.
He insisted that former President Buhari’s integrity, national stature, and disciplined messaging were central to the breakthrough, not the three million votes from the merging parties, which he described as insignificant.
Speaking on the role of the merging parties, particularly President Tinubu, the leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Mr Mustapha, who was the keynote speaker at the launch of the book ‘According to the President: Lessons from a Presidential Spokesman’s Experience’ authored by Mallam Garba Shehu, described the impact of the votes from other merging parties as very insignificant.
In attendance were former Head of State Yakubu Gowon, chair of the event; immediate past Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; SGF George Akume, who represented President Tinubu; PDP’s 2023 presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar; former Chief of Staff to Buhari Ibrahim Gambari; elder statesman Babagana Kingibe; former governors Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Chris Ngige (Anambra), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Raji Babatunde Fashola (Lagos); former ministers Solomon Dalung and Sunday Dare; former Army Chief Tukur Buratai, and Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu’s spokesman, among others.
According to Mr Mustapha, “I do not intend to stir up any controversy. The merger in 2013 was midwifed to create a Buhari presidency. Let us look at the statistics. In the 2003 election, it was the Obasanjo-Buhari presidential contest where Buhari recorded 12.7 million votes. In 2007, it came to 6.6 million, and it went back to 12.2 million in 2011.
“When we were conceptualising the merger, what would give us a headstart? Obviously, it was at the back of our consciousness that the merger with the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), though it had only one state, the ACN had six states, ANPP three states, and when you sum up the total votes that we had as the presidency in 2015, the aggregate of the total votes was 15.4 million.
“So, basically, what we brought to the table after the merger outside the Buhari 12.5 million votes was three million. Before turning to that presidency, it is important to recognise the former President’s role in reshaping Nigeria’s political trajectory.
“In early 2013, as the leader of the CPC, Buhari formally requested and supported the creation of a CPC merger committee, part of a broader coalition-building process that brought together the ACN, ANPP, APGA faction, and elements of the ruling party through the breakaway ‘new PDP’ group. His endorsement and participation, along with other party leaders such as President Tinubu and Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, lent credibility and direction to the merger, helping to unify disparate party factions under the banner of the APC. That coalition-building paved the way for the first democratic defeat of an incumbent ruling party in Nigeria’s history.
“President Buhari’s integrity, national stature, and disciplined messaging were central to that breakthrough. No account of President Buhari’s tenure would be complete without acknowledging the extended periods he spent on medical leave. These moments, while politically delicate, were also telling of his leadership philosophy and personality,” he said.
In his remarks, President Tinubu promised to build on the legacies of former President Buhari, stressing that “nation-building is a relay. The efforts of one administration lay the foundation for the next.
“In this regard, I acknowledge the efforts of my predecessor, President Buhari, and assure all Nigerians that the reform-oriented path he initiated will be consolidated and strengthened under this administration. Our Renewed Hope Agenda is inspired by the desire to build a resilient, just, and inclusive Nigeria—a nation that delivers dividends of democracy to all its citizens”.
Speaking during an appearance on live television on Wednesday, Mr Omokri alleged that Mr Obi’s statements were misleading and damaging to the country’s economic prospects.
Mr Omokri said some investors currently operating in Nigeria were considering exiting the market due to Mr Obi’s remarks.
“That is not true. He doesn’t rile me up. I rile him up. The reason why I came here is because I’m a patriot. Peter Obi lied. You know, foreign direct investors are watching your programme, who are making investment decisions not to come to Nigeria. There are foreign investors in Nigeria that are making investment decisions to leave Nigeria because of the lie he told.
“One of the lies he told is that President Tinubu has borrowed more than the administrations of Yar’Adua, Jonathan, Buhari. That is a blatant lie”, Mr Omokri said.
To buttress his claims, Mr Omokri referenced figures from the Debt Management Office (DMO), maintaining that President Tinubu had actually reduced Nigeria’s external debt burden since assuming office.
“I have here with me data from the Debt Management Office, and Nigerians who are watching can go to DMO.com and search Debt Management Office, Nigeria State of Indebtedness 2015.
“As of 2015, Nigeria was owing a total of $63 billion. When Buhari was leaving office, Nigeria was owing $113 billion. Today, from the DMO, our debt has gone from $113 billion to $97 billion, meaning that Tinubu has reduced our debt by over $14 billion.
“We should be appreciating this man. Yet Peter Obi came here and lied to the Nigerian people. He took the debts and translated them into naira to make it look like the debts have increased”, he said.
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