House of Representatives Dismisses Allegations of Pay-to-Play Legislative Process

Deputy Spokesman Links Controversial Claims to Lawmaker’s Poor Attendance Record

The Nigerian House of Representatives has vehemently denied explosive allegations that lawmakers must pay between ₦1 million and ₦3 million to present motions, bills, or petitions in the chamber. The rebuttal comes amid growing public scrutiny of legislative processes in Africa’s most populous democracy.

Allegations Spark Heated Debate

The controversy erupted after a viral video showed Hon. Ibrahim Auyo, representing Hadejia, Auyo and Kafin Hausa Federal Constituency of Jigawa State, making startling claims about financial barriers in the National Assembly. Speaking in Hausa, the lawmaker alleged that legislative business operates on a pay-to-play system requiring substantial payments to secure consideration for legislative proposals.

Deputy Spokesman Philip Agbese issued a scathing response, describing the allegations as “baseless fabrications” that threaten to undermine public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions. In a statement released Friday in Abuja, Agbese suggested the claims stem from Auyo’s personal challenges rather than systemic issues.

Mental Health and Attendance Records Cited

In an unusual move for political discourse, Agbese pointed to what he called Auyo’s “ongoing mental health challenges” as contributing factors to both the allegations and the lawmaker’s poor legislative performance.

“It is public knowledge that Hon. Auyo has been grappling with mental health challenges, which have significantly impacted his participation in the 10th Assembly,” Agbese stated. “Since its inception in June 2023, he has recorded less than 10% attendance and has contributed zero bills, motions, or petitions.”

The deputy spokesman accused Auyo of using sensational claims to mask his legislative inactivity, asking pointedly: “If other lawmakers are diligently sponsoring bills and motions, what prevents him from doing the same? Where is his proof of these alleged payments?”

House Leadership Defends Transparency

Agbese emphasized that under Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, the House operates on principles of “transparency, accountability and intellectual rigour — not financial inducements.” He portrayed the current assembly as a marked departure from past legislatures, calling it “the most transparent in Nigeria’s history.”

“The Speaker’s open-door policy has united members across party divides, ensuring every lawmaker has equal opportunity to contribute to nation-building,” Agbese added, framing Auyo’s allegations as “a direct affront to our collective efforts and the integrity of this institution.”

Constituency Concerns Raised

The deputy spokesman further claimed that constituents in Auyo’s federal constituency have repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction with their representative’s performance. “If Hon. Auyo perceives the legislative process as ‘rocket science,’ it may reflect his limited engagement or understanding, not systemic corruption,” Agbese remarked.

Agbese urged Auyo to focus on his health and mandate rather than making unsubstantiated claims, while challenging him to present any evidence of wrongdoing to the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges.

Silence from Accusing Lawmaker

As of press time, multiple attempts to reach Hon. Auyo for comment proved unsuccessful. His phone remained switched off, and the House Spokesperson’s office had not issued an official statement on the matter.

The controversy highlights ongoing tensions about transparency in Nigeria’s legislative branch and raises questions about how mental health considerations intersect with political accountability in the country’s robust democracy.

Full credit to the original publisher: The Guardian – Source link