SERAP Uncovers 'Fictitious' Presidential Council, Demands N1.3bn Budget Explanation

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to Nigeria's Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, demanding an explanation for a controversial N1.3 billion allocation. This significant sum was reportedly earmarked in the 2026 Appropriation Act for a presidential council that the Presidency itself has publicly declared to be fictitious.

In a detailed Freedom of Information (FoI) request, dated July 4, 2026, SERAP specifically tasked the National Assembly leadership with providing certified copies of all documentation pertaining to the approval of N1,302,978,784. This allocation was designated for the entity identified as the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) or Presidential Economic Advisory Council. The rights advocacy group has also urged the National Assembly to activate its constitutional investigative powers, specifically under Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution, to thoroughly probe the circumstances surrounding this allocation. The objective of such an investigation would be to pinpoint those responsible for what SERAP has characterized as glaring irregularities within the budget process.

Furthermore, SERAP's request seeks records that would identify the specific lawmakers and committees involved in considering and approving this allocation. It also demands information on any public officials or representatives who presented or defended the budget proposal for this council before the relevant committees. A crucial point of inquiry for the civil society organization is to ascertain whether this controversial allocation originated directly from the Executive’s 2026 Appropriation Bill or if it was introduced and subsequently integrated during the legislative appropriation process. Additionally, SERAP has demanded to know if any lawmaker raised questions regarding the legal status or operational mandate of this council before its funding was approved.

This urgent FoI request from SERAP comes on the heels of a July 1 statement from the Presidency, which unequivocally denied the existence of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council and asserted that the Federal Government never authorized or created such a body. SERAP views these conflicting claims with grave concern, describing them as alarming and indicative of serious issues regarding the integrity of Nigeria’s appropriations process, the effectiveness of legislative oversight, the robustness of public financial management, and overall accountability within government.

Signed by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, the FoI request underscored the constitutional right of Nigerian citizens to be informed about how public funds are appropriated, especially in instances where funds are allocated to an entity that lacks legal recognition. SERAP emphasized that those who create laws bear the most profound obligation to abide by them, and that the National Assembly's constitutional duty extends beyond merely approving executive budget proposals to rigorously scrutinizing them before authorizing any public expenditure. The organization believes that the disclosure of these requested documents is vital for Nigerians to independently assess whether the National Assembly fulfilled its constitutional obligations under Sections 80, 81, 88, and 89 of the Constitution in approving the allocation.

SERAP has issued a stern warning: should the requested information not be released within seven days of the National Assembly's receipt or publication of its letter, the organization will proceed with legal action to compel the disclosure of these critical documents. The group firmly believes that making these records public will significantly bolster confidence in the National Assembly’s credibility, enhance transparency within the appropriation process, and foster greater accountability in the management of public funds. SERAP buttresses its demand for full disclosure by citing multiple legal frameworks, including the Freedom of Information Act, the Nigerian Constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the Tshwane Principles.