JamzNG Latest News, Gist, Entertainment in Nigeria
The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) has defended Senator Orji Uzor Kalu over the alleged allocation of ₦14.286 billion for an election project attributed to him by the Labor Party senatorial candidate for Abia North, Chief David Ogba Onuoha Bourdex.
COSEYL, in a statement signed by its President General, Comrade Goodluck Ibem, and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Okey Nwaoru, described Bourdex’s interpretation of the funds as a misunderstanding of the constitutional roles of the National Assembly and the executive arm of government. Project reports
The group argued that allocations for campaign projects in the federal budget should not be interpreted as money given personally to lawmakers for execution.
According to COSEYL, the National Assembly is constitutionally responsible for the legislative process, representation, supervision and participation in the budget and appropriation process, while ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) are responsible for the implementation of projects after appropriation.
COSEYL challenges Bourdex
The South East youth group challenged Bourdex to produce documentary evidence showing that the alleged ₦14.286 billion was transferred to Kalu’s personal account, campaign account, political organization or any other account under his direct control for the execution of federal projects.
COSEYL said that without such evidence, describing the amount as money “given” to the senator could create a misleading impression about how campaign interventions are funded and implemented.
The group argued that there is a distinction between a legislator identifying or supporting a project in the budget and the actual execution of that project.
He said that once a project is allocated in the federal budget, the relevant government agency is responsible for procurement, contract award, supervision and implementation in line with public finance and procurement regulations.
The group therefore urged political actors to distinguish between budget provisions and actual disbursement of public funds.
“The National Assembly takes ownership, MDAs are executed”
COSEYL said the controversy around the alleged ₦14.286 billion allocation highlighted the need for greater public understanding of the budget process.
It explained that voters could identify roads, schools, health facilities, water projects and other interventions needed in their communities, while their representatives could facilitate their inclusion in the national budget.
However, according to the group, such inclusion does not mean that the legislature becomes the custodian or executive authority of the funds.
“A budget appropriation for a federal project is not the same as money handed over to a legislator,” the group said.
COSEYL adds that the appearance of a project under the title of electoral intervention does not automatically make the legislator who supported it the owner or executor of the project.
The group said questions about the performance of such projects should instead focus on the responsible MDA, the contractor, the value of the contract, the amount allocated, the funds released, the amount paid and the level of implementation.
Calls for careful monitoring of project execution
While defending the legislative role in the budget process, COSEYL said concerns about abandoned, delayed or poorly executed ballot projects should not be ignored.
The group said that where there are doubts about the implementation of a project, appropriate government agencies and contractors should be vetted.
It lists matters that should be part of that review, including the identity of the implementing agency, the contract award process, the value of the contract, the amount allocated and released, payments made, and the actual status of the project.
According to COSEYL, these are the issues that should form the basis of an accountability debate rather than presenting the full value of budget provisions as funds received personally by a senator.
The group said true accountability should be based on documentary evidence and verifiable information.
COSEYL increases Bourdex’s public record
COSEYL also questioned Bourdex’s record in public office, pointing out that he previously served as the Chairman of Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State.
The group said its experience in local government administration should make it understand the distinction between government revenue, budgetary allocations, project administration and execution.
She consequently challenged him to make his record in public office available for public scrutiny if he was seeking to engage voters on the issue of accountability.
COSEYL said questions about the resources available to his administration, projects undertaken, projects completed and their impact on residents should equally be part of any conversation about public accountability.
He argued that those seeking public office should be willing to have their prior records examined along with their criticisms of other public officials.
The group highlights Kalu’s interventions
Defending the senator, COSEYL said Kalu facilitated various interventions in Abia North covering education, infrastructure, empowerment, employment facilitation, healthcare and community development.
The group argued that senatorial district residents were able to evaluate the impact of interventions in their communities.
COSEYL said political disagreements should not result in a misrepresentation of the responsibilities of elected representatives or the functioning of government.
He also cautioned political actors against using the economic hardships of Nigerians as a basis to make unfounded allegations against political opponents.
“Political engagement should not be criminalised”
The group also said that the presence of citizens at political meetings should not automatically be interpreted as evidence that they were financially induced.
According to COSEYL, political leaders routinely interact with voters and supporters from all communities, and such interactions should not be presented as evidence of wrongdoing without credible supporting evidence.
However, he argued that allegations involving public funds should be subjected to scrutiny where there is documentary evidence.
The group said political opponents should be free to question the performance of public officials, but such criticism should be anchored in verifiable facts.
COSEYL urges voters in Abia North to focus on records
COSEYL urged residents of Abia North and the wider South East to critically examine political claims and distinguish between allegations, budget provisions and actual expenditure.
He said the debate on constituency projects should focus on what was allocated, which agencies were responsible for implementation, what was released and whether the projects were delivered as planned.
The group reiterated that the role of the National Assembly includes the legislative process, representation, supervision and participation in the appropriations process, while executive agencies are responsible for the implementation of government projects.
It therefore called on Bourdex to provide documentary evidence of his claims relating to the alleged ₦14.286 billion attributed to Kalu.
COSEYL said a clearer understanding of the constitutional responsibilities of the various branches of government would promote a more informed debate ahead of the political contest in Abia North.
