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Silent Loot or Legit Spending? SERAP Demands Governors Break Silence on Security Votes”
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on all 36 state governors in Nigeria to publicly disclose how they have utilized security vote allocations since May 29, 2023, and to invite anti-graft agencies to investigate their spending.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
In a Freedom of Information (FoI) request dated June 28, 2025, and signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation urged governors to allow both the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to monitor and audit the disbursement of these funds.
“In light of the recent massacre in Benue and the ongoing insecurity across several states, there is a compelling public interest in knowing how governors are spending security votes,” the organisation stated.
SERAP criticised what it described as the failure of many state governors to use public funds effectively to address security concerns, despite receiving billions of naira annually under the pretext of security votes.
“Despite massive allocations for security, many governors are failing to ensure the safety and welfare of their citizens, as mandated by Section 14(2)(b) of the Nigerian Constitution,” SERAP said.
It warned that the persistent secrecy around the disbursement of security votes has enabled corruption and weakened democratic accountability.
Citing a recent Supreme Court judgment, SERAP stressed that governors can no longer hide behind the excuse that the Freedom of Information Act does not apply to them.
“The apex court has affirmed that the FoI Act applies at all levels of government. Governors cannot continue to shield their spending from public scrutiny,” the group said.
SERAP warned that failure by any governor to respond to the request within seven days would result in legal action to enforce transparency and accountability.
The group also referenced a World Bank report that categorizes Nigeria as a fragile and conflict-affected country, highlighting the link between insecurity, rising poverty, and worsening development indicators.
“Making the use of security vote funds public would foster transparency and spark an honest national conversation about the insecurity plaguing the states—and what concrete steps are being taken to address it,” SERAP concluded.
Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, says the state has mapped out 22,435 hectares of degraded land for restoration under the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project using modern geospatial mapping technology.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
He said the initiative is part of efforts to strengthen climate resilience, tackle environmental degradation, and promote sustainable land use in the state.
Speaking at the ACReSAL mid-term review meeting in Kaduna through the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Abubakar Buba, the governor explained that the use of geospatial tools has made it possible to accurately identify affected areas for targeted intervention.
He added that the project is not only focused on land recovery but also on boosting agricultural output and improving livelihoods in affected communities.
Sani also noted that the state is supporting the programme with empowerment initiatives, including training over 500 women, youths, and school feeding vendors in biomass briquette production.
According to him, the effort is already helping to reduce dependence on firewood while creating alternative sources of income for beneficiaries.
President Tinubu has given full backing for the implementation of the ₦68.32 trillion 2026 budget after signing the Appropriation Bill passed by the National Assembly into law.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
He also approved an amendment extending the lifespan of the 2025 budget from March 31 to June 30, 2026, to ensure completion of ongoing capital projects nationwide.
Under the 2026 fiscal plan, ₦4.799 trillion is set aside for statutory transfers, ₦15.8 trillion for debt servicing, ₦15.4 trillion for recurrent spending, while ₦32.2 trillion goes to capital projects—about half of the total budget.
The focus, according to the administration, is on infrastructure development, security, and growth-driven investments aimed at improving living standards.
Speaking on the development, presidential aide Bayo Onanuga said the extension of the 2025 budget will help ensure full use of allocated funds, especially for major ongoing projects.
Tinubu directed all ministries, departments, and agencies to ensure transparency, discipline, and value-for-money in implementing the budget, while praising the National Assembly for its swift passage of the bill.
He also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to economic reforms, revenue growth, job creation, and social welfare improvements.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State has described moves to prosecute former Senate President Bukola Saraki and former Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed over alleged culpable homicide as an attempt to reopen the 2018 Offa robbery tragedy for political purposes.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
In a statement on Friday, the party’s spokesperson, Olusegun Adewara, said the development is a disturbing and dangerous politicisation of a case they claim has already been addressed through judicial processes.
He warned against dragging the state into fresh tension, accusing the state government of attempting to revive old allegations for political advantage.
Adewara said the PDP would not remain silent while what he called “political narratives” are used to influence public perception around a tragic incident that claimed multiple lives in Offa in 2018.
He also urged residents, especially affected families, not to allow their pain to be used for political gains, insisting it is unjust to associate Saraki with the crime.
The party further alleged that the move is aimed at distracting attention from governance challenges in the state.
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