“Nigerian lawmakers pay up to ₦3m bribe to present motions, bills” – Jigawa Reps Member (Video)
A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ibrahim Usman Auyo, has alleged that federal lawmakers are required to pay between ₦1 million and ₦3 million to be allowed to present motions, bills, or petitions during plenary sessions.
Auyo, who represents the Hadejia, Auyo, and Kafin Hausa Federal Constituency of Jigawa State, made the claims in a viral video where he spoke in Hausa. He was responding to criticism from his constituents and denied that legislative processes at the National Assembly were based on the needs of the people.
“Since I went to the Assembly, it’s not true that someone wrote a motion for their need or others to be presented before the House. It’s all false. And if at all there is, anybody should come out to challenge me,” he said.
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He explained the financial requirements for legislative action, stating, “Even the bills and petitions are paid for. You have to pay ₦3 million, ₦2 million, or ₦1 million for it to be read on the floor of the House. After you read the bill, you have to lobby over 360 lawmakers to support that the bill be considered.”
The lawmaker also addressed accusations that he has neglected youth empowerment in his constituency. He insisted that the majority of his projects have directly benefited young people.
“Whoever said the youths were not supported, that person only expressed their personal opinion, as it’s not true. Those who benefited know.
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You are not God, so you cannot satisfy everybody or be just to all. Of course, it is not everybody that will get or benefit from the distribution. I singlehandedly do the distributions. 80% of the distribution goes to the youths,” Auyo stated.
He also expressed frustration with how beneficiaries handle the support they receive, saying, “Talk about the motorcycle, water pumps, and cars I shared, the youths benefited from it. And the moment you distribute these things to them, they sell something you bought at ₦300,000 for ₦120,000 or ₦150,000.”
Regarding how he handles community requests, Auyo explained that he has a clear process in place. “On bills, I have made it a principle that any community or local government that has any motion should sit down and put it into writing,” he said. “They should take it to my legislative aides for onward delivery to me and wait to see whether we will act on it or not.
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If it is something I can address instantly, we do it, and if it is something I will appeal to be placed for the next year appropriation, I will plead that it be done that way.”
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