The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the leadership of the National Assembly to disclose documents relating to the approval of more than ₦1.3 billion allocated to the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC)/Presidential Economic Advisory Council in the 2026 Appropriation Act.
The organisation also urged the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, to launch an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the allocation, following claims by the Presidency that the council does not exist.
According to SERAP, the allocation of ₦1,302,978,784 to what it described as a “fictitious presidential council” raises serious concerns about transparency, legislative oversight and public financial management.
In a Freedom of Information (FoI) request dated July 4, 2026, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP asked the National Assembly to release certified copies of all records connected with the consideration and approval of the allocation.
The group also requested records identifying members of the committees that handled the budget proposal, as well as the names and official positions of all public officials who appeared before lawmakers to defend the allocation.
SERAP further sought clarification on whether the allocation was contained in the Executive’s original Appropriation Bill or whether it was introduced or amended during the legislative process.
The organisation also asked whether any lawmaker questioned the legal status, establishment or operational mandate of the council during budget deliberations and requested details of the actions taken in response.
The request follows reports that the 2026 budget included an allocation of more than ₦1.3 billion to the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC)/Presidential Economic Advisory Council.
However, the Presidency has publicly stated that no such body was created by the Federal Government, describing it as a fictitious organisation.
SERAP argued that the conflicting accounts have raised fundamental questions about the integrity of Nigeria’s budget approval process.
“Nigerians have a right to know whether public funds were appropriated for an entity that was not lawfully established and, if so, how this occurred,” the organisation said.
SERAP maintained that lawmakers have a constitutional obligation not only to approve budgets but also to thoroughly scrutinise executive spending proposals before authorising public expenditure.
According to the organisation, the National Assembly is expected to exercise its oversight responsibilities under Sections 80, 81, 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution by ensuring that all budget allocations comply with the law.
“Nobody has a more sacred obligation to obey the law than those who make the law. The National Assembly ought to keep an eye on what the Executive is doing and to keep the Presidency and agencies of government in check, including before and during the appropriation process by thoroughly scrutinising Executive’s budget proposals before any authorisation,” SERAP stated.
The group insisted that making the requested records public would allow Nigerians to determine whether the legislature properly discharged its constitutional responsibilities during the budget approval process.
SERAP also argued that disclosure would improve public confidence in the National Assembly and strengthen transparency in the management of public resources.
The organisation warned that if the requested information is not released within seven days, it would initiate legal proceedings to compel compliance in the public interest.
It noted that the Freedom of Information Act, the Nigerian Constitution and several international human rights instruments recognise citizens’ right to obtain information concerning the conduct of public affairs.
SERAP cited Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, both of which support public access to information held by government institutions.
The organisation also referenced the internationally recognised Tshwane Principles, which advocate maximum disclosure of public information, particularly where issues of corruption, misuse of public funds or abuse of office are involved.
According to SERAP, public institutions are accountable to citizens, and access to official records is essential for promoting transparency, strengthening democratic governance and ensuring effective oversight of public spending.
