News
Amid economic frustrations FG burns N5bn on Lagos VP’s residence
Despite ravaging hunger and ongoing economic challenges and escalating inflation affecting millions of Nigerians, the Federal Government has come under scrutiny for allocating a significant N5 billion towards the renovation of the Vice President’s official residence in Lagos.
In November 2023, the Federal Government outlined a supplementary budget of N2.17 trillion, which included N3 billion specifically allocated for refurbishing the Vice President’s Lagos residence and an additional N2.5 billion for his official quarters at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja. These expenditures were part of an effort to upgrade government infrastructure, yet they have sparked widespread concern among citizens facing economic hardships.
According to findings from GovSpend, a civic technology platform that monitors federal expenditures, the actual amount spent on the Vice President’s Lagos residence renovations in 2024 totaled N5,034,077,063.
This sum, spent between May and September, exceeded the initial budgetary estimates, raising questions about the use of public funds amid broader financial constraints.
A closer look at the spending details shows that on May 31, 2024, the State House disbursed N2,827,119,051 to Denderi Investment Limited, an engineering firm, to undertake renovations on the Vice President’s Lagos residence.
Later, on September 5, 2024, additional payments were made for further work on the property, including N726,748,686 from the Office of the Chief of Staff for additional renovations, and N1,480,209,326 for a second phase of the project.
The substantial scale of these allocations has drawn attention from both the public and civil society organizations advocating for fiscal responsibility.
In addition to the Lagos renovation costs, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) announced in November 2023 a plan to construct a new residence for the Vice President in Abuja, at an estimated cost of N15 billion. FCT Minister Nyesom Wike presented this plan during a House of Representatives committee session to justify the FCTA’s supplementary budget of N61.5 billion.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), a prominent civil rights organization, criticized these expenditures, labeling them as misaligned with the nation’s current financial challenges and a violation of constitutional principles. SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, highlighted the strain that debt servicing places on the country’s budget, with an estimated 30 percent (N8.25 trillion) of the 2024 budget of N27.5 trillion earmarked for debt payments. Oluwadare argued that allocating billions for a new vice-presidential residence in such times represents a breach of public trust.
Other advocates have voiced similar concerns. Auwal Rafsanjani, Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, questioned the sincerity of the government’s commitment to reducing governance costs, pointing out that budget allocations for executive expenses have seen minimal cuts in the past 16 months. Likewise, Debo Adeniran, Chairman of the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, emphasized the need for a constitutional framework to control government spending, suggesting that a new, more restrictive constitution could help curb excessive financial allocations in the future.
These calls for restraint underscore the pressing need for policy decisions that prioritize public welfare, particularly as citizens face economic pressures on a daily basis.
By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has called for an inquiry into financial Expressing concerns over the disregard for parliamentary oversight, amounting to N3.2 billion under the leadership of former Permanent Secretaries in the Federal Ministry of Labour, Williams Alo and Yerima Tafa.
The legislative body has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission (IPCC) to take appropriate steps regarding the matter.
The Chairman House Committee on Public Accounts, Rep. Bamidele Salam,con Monday, who expressed concerns over the disregard for parliamentary oversight, crcriticised persistent failure of ministries and government agencies to respond to audit queries.
According to Rep. Salam, despite repeated invitations, the Ministry of Labour has neither provided the necessary documents nor defended itself against 32 audit queries from the 2020 audit report.
He noted that while the Auditor General’s report contained specific recommendations, the committee extended multiple opportunities for the ministry to respond—efforts that were ignored. He further lamented the broader trend of government bodies failing to honor parliamentary summons, undermining the National Assembly’s constitutional role in ensuring accountability.
The committee has also directed the current Permanent Secretary, Saliu Usman, to appear within 72 hours to address the outstanding audit queries for the 2021 financial year. Failure to comply may lead to the adoption of the Auditor General’s recommendations. Similarly, the Permanent Secretaries of the Ministries of Transportation, Women Affairs, and Humanitarian Services have been given the same timeframe to respond to related matters.
Committee members emphasised the urgency of resolving these audit queries before the next report is presented in April. Some lawmakers also raised concerns that the Minister of State for Labour, being a former legislator, should understand the importance of engaging with the National Assembly on financial oversight issues.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa pm
The Court of Appeals sitting in Akure has reinstated the elected Local Government officials who were previously fired by Governors Ademola Adeleke, and has ordered their immediate resumption of office.
Recall that on assumption of office in November 2022, Governor Adeleke sacked the local government officials after a High Court decision had earlier upturned their election.
The High Court sacked the council officials after their election which was organised by OSSIEC.
The Osun State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and other political parties had approached the High Court to challenge the council elections.
They prayed the court to declare the election as a nullity because it was only the APC candidates who contested vacant positions and the ‘options given to them was either a YES or NO’.
Daily Post
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
TikToker Olumide Ogunsanwo, also known as Seaking has been released after spending some time in police detention.
Human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) Omoyele Sowore announced the news on Instagram, expressing gratitude to everyone involved in securing his freedom
He wrote: “We are pleased to confirm that Olumide Ogunsanwo @seaking303 has been released from @PoliceNG custody after our prompt rejection of the initial bail condition requiring a Level 12 or 10 civil servant, resulting in a swift agreement and release on administrative bail, signed by me.”
Recall, on Feburary 6, Seaking was rearrested in Lagos over his defamatory comments against the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye and flown to Abuja.
Reacting, Pastor Adeboye during a monthly Holy Ghost Service called for the release of the TikToker stating that he was not involved in his arrest.
The clergyman noted that those who moved for the arrest of the Tiktoker didn’t carry him along when they took action over alleged derogatory remarks against him by the social media user.
The popular cleric has, however, directed the release of the Tiktoker, saying he is only fulfilling prophecy.
“I heard that there was someone who lambasted me thoroughly; What’s my offense? because I asked my people to fast for 100 days, I didn’t ask him o. I didn’t ask anybody who is not a member of the Redeemed Christian Church of God to fast. Only my children. But God said that it will happen.
“I was told that some people got so angry and they went and arrested the fellow. Ha, release him, he is fulfilling prophecy
Reps Demand Action on N3.2bn Infraction Allegations in Labour Ministry
Appeal Court Returns APC LG Chairmen Fired By Adeleke
Detained popular TikToker, Seaking regains freedom after Adeboye’s request
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