SERAP asks Akpabio, Abbas to explain ₦1.3 billion allocation to 'fictitious' presidential council
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
The Socio-Economic Rights and Project SERAP has called on Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, to provide an explanation for the allocation of over ₦1.3 billion to a "fictitious" presidential council in the 2026 Appropriation Act. SERAP also urged the National Assembly leadership to investigate the circumstances surrounding this allocation and to disclose all related documents. In a Freedom of Information letter dated July 4, 2026, SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, requested certified copies of documents pertaining to the approval of ₦1,302,978,784 for the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council PFIPC/Presidential Economic Advisory Council. The organization further asked the National Assembly to use its constitutional powers to investigate the allocation to what it describes as "a fictitious presidential council" and identify those responsible for any irregularities. SERAP also sought records identifying members of the National Assembly committees that reviewed the allocation and the names of public officers who defended the proposal. The organization questioned whether the allocation was part of the Executive's original Appropriation Bill or introduced during the appropriation process. SERAP highlighted reports indicating the PFIPC/Presidential Economic Advisory Council received funds despite the Presidency stating it was never established, raising concerns about the integrity of Nigeria's appropr
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