July 05, (THEWILL) — The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, to “urgently disclose certified copies of all documents relating to the consideration and approval of the allocation of over ₦1.3 billion (₦1,302,978,784) to the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC)/Presidential Economic Advisory Council in the 2026 Appropriation Act.”
THEWILL reports that the demand comes amid growing controversy over the inclusion of the allocation in the 2026 Appropriation Act, following denial by the Presidency that the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), also referred to in the budget as the Presidential Economic Advisory Council, is a legally established government body.
In a Freedom of Information (FoI) request dated July 4, 2026, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP urged the leadership of the National Assembly to immediately exercise its constitutional oversight powers under Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to investigate the circumstances surrounding what it described as the appropriation of public funds to “a fictitious presidential council.”
The organisation argued that the apparent contradiction between the appropriation approved by the National Assembly and the Presidency’s public disclaimer raises fundamental questions about the credibility of Nigeria’s budgeting process, legislative oversight, fiscal transparency, and public accountability.
According to SERAP, the National Assembly should also provide certified copies of records identifying members of both Senate and House of Representatives committees that considered and approved the controversial allocation, as well as the names and official designations of all government officials, agencies, or representatives that appeared before the committees to defend the proposed expenditure.
The organisation further requested detailed clarification on whether the allocation was contained in the Executive’s original Appropriation Bill submitted by President Bola Tinubu or whether it was introduced, amended, or inserted during legislative consideration of the budget.
It also wants the National Assembly to disclose whether any senator or member of the House of Representatives questioned the legal status, establishment, or operational mandate of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council during committee deliberations or plenary consideration, and what actions, if any, were taken in response to such concerns.
According to SERAP, the 2026 Appropriation Act allocated a total of ₦1,302,978,784 to the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC)/Presidential Economic Advisory Council.
However, on July 1, 2026, the Presidency publicly distanced itself from the body, stating unequivocally that no such council exists within the structure of the Federal Government.
The Presidency described the council as fictitious, maintaining that it had never been established through any legal or administrative instrument.
SERAP said the conflicting positions between the National Assembly’s approved budget and the Presidency’s public denial have created serious concerns over the integrity of Nigeria’s appropriation framework.
“These conflicting accounts raise serious concerns regarding the integrity of Nigeria’s appropriations process, legislative oversight, public financial management, and accountability,” the organisation stated.
It stressed that lawmakers have a constitutional duty not only to approve budget proposals but also to subject every expenditure request to rigorous scrutiny before authorising the spending of public funds.
“Nigeria’s Constitution places significant responsibilities on the National Assembly in relation to the appropriation process.
“These constitutional duties require the National Assembly not merely to approve the Executive’s budget proposals, but to scrutinise, debate and authorise public expenditure in line with the Constitution,” SERAP stated.
The organisation added that legislators owe Nigerians a greater duty because they are custodians of the nation’s public finances.
“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 budget proposals before any authorisation,” it added.
SERAP argued that Nigerians have a constitutional right to know whether public funds were appropriated for an entity that lacks any legal foundation.
“The requested records concern matters of exceptional public importance.
“They relate directly to the integrity of Nigeria’s budgetary and appropriations process, the lawful establishment and funding of public institutions, the expenditure of public funds, and the effectiveness of legislative oversight,” the organisation said.
It maintained that disclosure of the requested documents would enable Nigerians to determine whether the National Assembly faithfully discharged its constitutional responsibilities under Sections 80, 81, 88, and 89 of the Constitution in scrutinising and approving the allocation.
The rights group further argued that public disclosure would strengthen confidence in the National Assembly, promote transparency in the management of public resources, and enable citizens to effectively scrutinise parliamentary oversight.
According to SERAP, the National Assembly has a clear legal obligation under the Freedom of Information Act to disclose records where credible allegations of governmental impropriety or possible misuse of public funds have arisen.
“The basic purpose of the Freedom of Information Act is to ensure an informed citizenry, enabling citizens to check corruption and hold public officials and institutions accountable,” the organisation said.
SERAP also cited Nigeria’s international obligations under Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which guarantees citizens’ right of access to information held by public authorities.
It further relied on Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, noting that the African Commission has consistently interpreted the provision as requiring maximum disclosure of information held by public institutions in order to promote transparency, accountability, democratic governance, and public participation.
The organisation equally referenced the internationally recognised Tshwane Principles on National Security and the Right to Information, which provide that no public authority should enjoy blanket exemption from disclosure obligations, particularly where allegations involve corruption, abuse of office, or the use of public funds.
SERAP maintained that the Nigerian Constitution, the Freedom of Information Act, and Nigeria’s international legal commitments are all founded on the principle that public institutions remain accountable to citizens and that Nigerians are entitled to information concerning the conduct of public affairs.
“The disclosure of the requested information and documents would advance these constitutional and statutory objectives by promoting openness, strengthening legislative accountability, and enhancing public confidence in the management of public resources,” it stated.
The organisation gave the National Assembly seven days to comply with its requests, warning that failure to release the documents within the stipulated period would leave it with no option but to commence legal proceedings to compel disclosure in the public interest.
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