Senate President Godswill Akpabio has publicly revealed that he has never personally reviewed the budget for the National Assembly, highlighting a significant need for financial openness within the legislature. This admission occurred during a debate on a proposal by Senator Sunday Karimi to create an Internal Tender Board for the National Assembly.
Senator Karimi, representing Kogi West, introduced the motion to improve procurement procedures and protect the institution’s financial autonomy. He argued that the move was necessary to align with the 1999 Constitution. However, the proposal faced immediate opposition from several lawmakers.
Senator Adamu Aliero of Kebbi Central criticized the timing, stating that the Senate should focus on creating a Budget and Research Office to help members analyze legislative spending. He argued that lawmakers remain largely unaware of how funds are allocated, making the creation of a tender board premature.
Akpabio supported these concerns, noting that the motion lacked prior discussion with Senate leadership. He emphasized that the legislature must prioritize transparency regarding its own budget and financial operations before attempting to reform procurement processes. Consequently, Senator Karimi withdrew the motion, with the Senate agreeing that a clearer understanding of legislative finances is the necessary first step before pursuing further administrative changes.
