Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Akin Rotimi, has dismissed claims that each lawmaker now receives N1 billion for constituency projects, calling it deliberate disinformation intended to mislead the public.
Rotimi addressed the matter on Friday in Abuja during a media and civil society roundtable organised by the International Press Centre (IPC), focusing on the role of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act in promoting electoral transparency and accountability.
He traced the falsehood to Ayodele Asalu, a former House of Representatives aspirant from Osun State, who alleged in a viral video that lawmakers now receive significantly increased project funds following the removal of petrol subsidy. According to Asalu, federal lawmakers now get at least N1 billion while senators receive no less than N2 billion.
“Before 2024, it wasn’t like this… Today, nobody gets less than N1 billion. And no senator operates with less than N2 billion. These are facts, not exposés,” Asalu claimed while addressing supporters in Yoruba.
However, Rotimi rebutted the statement, noting that such comments stem from misinformation and political desperation. He clarified that the budgeting and implementation process for constituency projects is complex and that funds are not directly disbursed to lawmakers.
“Some people even misconstrue that it’s given to you monthly, not knowing the complex nature of the budgetary process. This was something that all my colleagues across all the 360 constituencies had to battle at the grassroots level,” Rotimi explained.
He added that the House initially chose not to issue a formal response, allowing individual lawmakers to clarify the situation to their constituents in locally understood terms.
Rotimi emphasized the need for public enlightenment on how constituency project funds are allocated and implemented, reiterating the House’s commitment to transparency.
