SERAP asks Akpabio and Abbas to explain ₦1.3 billion allocation for ‘fictitious presidential council’

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, to “immediately disclose certified copies of all documents relating to the consideration and approval of the allocation of over ₦1.3 billion (₦1,302,978,784) to the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC)/Presidential Economic Advisory Council in the 2026 Appropriations Act.”

SERAP urged them “to immediately exercise the constitutional powers of the National Assembly under articles 88 and 89 of the Nigerian Constitution to investigate the circumstances surrounding the allocation of a ‘fictitious presidential council’ in the Appropriation Act of 2026 and to identify those responsible for any irregularities.”

SERAP also urged them to “provide certified copies of records identifying the members of the National Assembly committees considering appropriations and the names and official designations of all public officials or representatives who appeared before such committees in defense of the proposed appropriations.”

SERAP further urged them to “clarify whether the appropriations were part of the original Appropriations Bill or were introduced or amended during the appropriations process and whether any MPs raised concerns or requested clarification regarding the legal status, formation or operational mandate of the ‘fictitious body’; and the actions taken by the National Assembly in response.”

According to reports, the President’s Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC)/President’s Economic Advisory Council was allocated over ₦1.3 billion in the Appropriation Act of 2026. However, the Presidency has openly stated that the body is fictitious and was never created by the Federal Government.

In a Freedom of Information request dated July 4, 2026 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization said, “These conflicting statements raise serious concerns regarding the integrity of Nigeria’s funding allocation process, legislative oversight, public financial management, and accountability.”

SERAP said, “No one has a more sacred obligation to obey the law than those who make the laws. The National Assembly must oversee what the Executive does and keep the Presidency and government agencies in check including before and during the fund allocation process by thoroughly scrutinizing the Executive’s proposed budget before giving any authorization.”

According to SERAP, “Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] assigns major responsibilities to the National Assembly with respect to the appropriation process. These constitutional duties require that the National Assembly not only approve the Executive budget proposals, but also scrutinize, debate and authorize public spending in line with the Constitution.”

The FoI request read in part: “Nigerians have the right to know whether public funds have been allocated to an entity that was not legally established and, if so, how this occurred.”

“Providing the requested information will enable Nigerians to assess whether the National Assembly has discharged its constitutional responsibilities under articles 80, 81, 88 and 89 of the Constitution in examining and approving the allocation.”

“We would be grateful if the recommended steps are taken within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by that time, SERAP will take all necessary legal action to compel you and the National Assembly to comply with our requests in the public interest.”

“Disclosure of the requested information will strengthen public confidence in the credibility of the National Assembly and the integrity of the funding allocation process, promote transparency in the management of public resources, and enable the public to scrutinize the implementation of parliamentary oversight.”

“The requested records relate to matters of critical public importance. They relate directly to the integrity of Nigeria’s budget process and budget allocations, the establishment and funding of legitimate public institutions, the expenditure of public funds, and the effectiveness of legislative oversight.”

“The National Assembly has a clear obligation to disclose requested information, especially when there are credible allegations of government impropriety and possible misuse of public resources. The basic aim of the Freedom of Information Act is to ensure the public is informed, enable citizens to check corruption and hold public officials and institutions accountable.”

“The United Nations Human Rights Committee has confirmed that Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of which Nigeria is a country guarantees the right of access to information held by public bodies and requires governments to proactively place information relating to the public interest in the public domain while promptly responding to requests for information.”

“The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights has consistently interpreted Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights to require maximum disclosure of information held by public authorities and recognizes access to information as fundamental to transparency, accountability, democratic governance and public participation.”

“The internationally recognized Tshwane Principles on National Security and the Right to Information further provide that no public authority shall be exempt from information disclosure obligations and recognize the overriding public interest in disclosing information regarding corruption, abuse of public office and use of public funds.”

“The Nigerian Constitution, the Freedom of Information Act and Nigeria’s international legal obligations rest on the basic principle that public institutions are accountable to the people and that citizens have the right to information regarding the conduct of public affairs.”

“Disclosure of the requested information and documents will advance the constitutional and statutory objectives of this law by encouraging transparency, strengthening legislative accountability, and increasing public confidence in the management of public resources.”

“According to widely reported allegations, the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC)/Presidential Economic Advisory Council was allocated over ₦1.3 billion [₦1,302,978,784] in the Appropriations Act of 2026.”

“However, the Presidency has publicly denied the existence of such a body. In a statement issued on July 1, 2026, the Presidency stated that the President’s Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC)/President’s Economic Advisory Council is a fictitious body that was never created by the Federal Government.”