Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the leadership of the National Assembly to investigate the alleged allocation of more than ₦1.3 billion to the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC)/Presidential Economic Advisory Council in the 2026 Appropriation Act.
In a statement, SERAP urged the President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, to immediately disclose certified copies of all documents relating to the consideration and approval of the ₦1,302,978,784 allocation to the council.
The organisation also asked the National Assembly leadership to invoke its investigative powers under Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to examine the circumstances surrounding the inclusion of the allocation in the 2026 budget.
According to SERAP, the investigation should identify anyone responsible for any irregularities associated with the budgetary provision.
The group further requested certified copies of records identifying the National Assembly committees that considered the allocation, as well as the names and official designations of public officers or representatives who appeared before the committees to defend the proposed budget.
SERAP said its request followed reports that the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), also referred to as the Presidential Economic Advisory Council, was allocated more than ₦1.3 billion in the 2026 Appropriation Act.
The organisation, however, noted that the Presidency had publicly stated that the council was fictitious and had never been established by the Federal Government.
According to SERAP, the conflicting claims raise serious concerns about the credibility of the country’s appropriation process, legislative oversight, public financial management and accountability.
It maintained that the National Assembly has a constitutional responsibility to thoroughly scrutinise budget proposals submitted by the Executive before approving public expenditure.
SERAP added that lawmakers also have a duty to ensure the Presidency and all Ministries, Departments and Agencies remain accountable throughout the budget process and in the management of public funds.
The organisation urged the National Assembly to act promptly in the interest of transparency, accountability and public confidence in the country’s budgeting process.
