Account for ₦1.3bn assigned to allegedly non-existent presidential council, SERAP demands of Akpabio and Abbas

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project is seeking clarification from Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, regarding the allocation of over ₦1.3 billion to a purportedly non-existent presidential council in the 2026 Appropriation Act.

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The organisation has also called upon the National Assembly leadership to probe the circumstances surrounding this allocation and make relevant documents available, as outlined in a Freedom of Information letter dated July 4, 2026.

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This letter, which was made public through a statement signed by SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, on Sunday, specifically requests that Akpabio and Abbas promptly disclose certified copies of all documents related to the approval of the ₦1,302,978,784 allocation to the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC)/Presidential Economic Advisory Council.

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The National Assembly is also being urged to utilise its constitutional powers, as stipulated in sections 88 and 89 of the Nigerian Constitution, to investigate the allocation to a purportedly fictitious presidential council in the 2026 Appropriation Act and identify those responsible for any irregularities.

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In addition, SERAP is requesting certified copies of records that identify the members of the National Assembly committees which reviewed the allocation, as well as the names and official designations of public officers or representatives who defended the proposed allocation before these committees.

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The organisation is seeking clarification on whether the allocation was part of the Executive's original Appropriation Bill or if it was introduced during the appropriation process, amid reports that the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council/Presidential Economic Advisory Council received over ₦1.3 billion in the 2026 budget.

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This development is noteworthy, given the Presidency's public statement that the body was never established by the Federal Government, thereby raising serious concerns about the integrity of Nigeria's appropriations process, legislative oversight, public financial management, and accountability.

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SERAP argues that the National Assembly has a constitutional responsibility to thoroughly scrutinise budget proposals before approving public expenditure, emphasizing that lawmakers have a sacred obligation to obey the law and keep the Executive in check.

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The organisation maintains that Nigerians have the right to know whether public funds were allocated to an entity that was not lawfully established and, if so, how this occurred, warning that it will take legal action if the requested information is not provided within seven days.

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SERAP has stated that it would appreciate it if the recommended measures are taken within seven days of receiving the letter, and if not, the organisation will take all necessary legal actions to compel compliance with its request in the public interest.