Senators Face Fresh Scrutiny Over ₦1.3bn 'Fictitious Presidential Council' Allocation

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.

According to reports, the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC)/Presidential Economic Advisory Council was allocated over ₦1.3 billion in the 2026 Appropriation Act. However, the Presidency has publicly stated that the body is fictitious and was never established by the Federal Government. In a Freedom of Information request dated 4 July 2026 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said, 'These conflicting accounts raise serious concerns regarding the integrity of Nigeria’s appropriations process, legislative oversight, public financial management and accountability.'

SERAP said, '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.'

The FoI request, read in part: '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.' 'Providing the requested information would enable Nigerians to assess whether the National Assembly discharged its constitutional responsibilities under sections 80, 81, 88 and 89 of the Constitution in scrutinising and approving the allocation.'

In a statement, SERAP said:

'We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel you and the National Assembly to comply with our request in the public interest.'

'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.'

Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP deputy director, added that: 'The National Assembly has a clear obligation to disclose the requested information, particularly where there are credible allegations of governmental impropriety and possible misuse of public resources. 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.'

Akpabio and Abbas, two of Nigeria's most powerful figures, are now facing fresh scrutiny over a controversial allocation in the 2026 Appropriation Act. As Nigerians continue to demand accountability from their leaders, SERAP's request for disclosure comes at a critical moment in the country's push for transparency and good governance.