LP Candidate Demands N110bn National Assembly Allowance Refund

By Praise Chinecherem

Labour Party (LP) candidate for Anambra Central Senatorial District, Ven Tochukwu Ikezue has called on members of the 10th National Assembly who benefited from the controversial N110 billion vehicle procurement and support allowance to refund the money and tender an unreserved apology to Nigerians.

Ikezue made the demand in a statement following a judgment of the Federal High Court in Lagos which nullified the provision that enabled the allocation to lawmakers.

He described the ruling by Justice Yellim Bogoro as a victory for accountability, transparency and the Nigerian people, noting that the judgment reaffirmed the principle that no arm of government should operate above the law or against public interest.

The LP candidate commended the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project for challenging the allocation in court and praised the judiciary for defending constitutional principles and good governance.

According to him, it was troubling that lawmakers approved such a huge sum for their benefit at a time when millions of Nigerians were grappling with economic hardship, inflation, unemployment and insecurity.

He argued that the court’s declaration of the provision as unlawful placed moral, legal and ethical responsibility on all beneficiaries, irrespective of whether the funds had already been disbursed and spent.

“I therefore call on every beneficiary of the N110 billion allocation to immediately refund the money received under the unlawful arrangement.

“Public office is a sacred trust, not an avenue for self-enrichment at the expense of suffering citizens,” he stated.

Ikezue further accused the leadership of the National Assembly of taking advantage of public ignorance of legislative procedures to push through a provision that primarily served the interests of lawmakers, saying such actions had eroded public confidence in democratic institutions.

He also urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC), to ensure the recovery of all funds obtained through the arrangement, insisting that the fight against corruption must be pursued without bias.

The cleric-turned-politician advised Nigerians to remember the controversy as future elections approach, warning that lawmakers who benefited from the allocation and fail to refund the money should not be entrusted with public office again.

He maintained that Nigeria’s progress depends on leaders placing the welfare of citizens above personal interests and ensuring that public resources are deployed solely for the benefit of the people.