SERAP Calls On Senate To Reject FCT Minister's #15 Billion VP Building.

The Director of SERAP, Kolawole Oluwadare has called on the Senate to reject the plans of FCT Minister, Wike to build a befitting house for the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Former Governor of Rivers State now the Minister of FCT is now in the media space again after the group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, not to approve an alleged plan by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike to build a ‘befitting residence’ for the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima.

You may recall that the former Governor has been in the news over an alleged Political sage in Rivers State after the Governor, SIM Fubara and the Assembly had a serious fallout which led to the destruction of the Assembly complex last month and till now the complex is still under locked crippling Legislative activities in the State.

It was gathered that the loyal Assembly of Rivers State to the former Governor is planning for to impeach the sitting Governor of Rivers State which the FCT Minister was allegedly accused to be behind the plot.

The FCT Minister who is always in the News is again allegedly accused for building a befiiting house for the Vice President to the turn of #15 Billion .

However, the (SERAP) is calling on the Senate and the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio not to approve.

It called on the Senate leader to “assert Senate’s authority and constitutional oversight roles to reject the N2.8 billion on publicity for the FCTA and other proposed wasteful and unnecessary spending that may be contained in the 2023 supplementary budget and the 2024 budget proposed by President Bola Tinubu.”

SERAP’s deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare made this known on Sunday, December 3.

According to SERAP, it would be a grave violation of the public trust and constitutional oath of office for the Senate to approve the plan to spend N15 billion on ‘a befitting residence’ for the vice president at a time when the Federal Government is set to spend 30% (that is, N8.25 trillion) of the country’s 2024 budget of N27.5 trillion on debt service costs.

“The Senate has the constitutional duties to ensure that Mr Wike’s proposed spending is entirely consistent and compatible with constitutional provisions including his oath of office. All public officials remain subject to the rule of law,” the statement read.

“The National Assembly including the Senate has a constitutional responsibility to address the country’s debt crisis, including by rejecting wasteful and unnecessary spending to satisfy the personal comfort and lifestyles of public officials.

“The National Assembly cannot continue to fail to fulfil its oversight function. The Senate must assert and demonstrate its independence by checking and rejecting all wasteful and unnecessary spending by the executive.”