A pro-democracy organisation, the Advocates of Social Justice for All (ASJA), has defended the controversial N110 billion expenditure by the National Assembly on official vehicles and support allowances for lawmakers, urging critics and civil society organisations to respect the constitutional independence of the legislature.
The group’s position follows a recent judgment by a Federal High Court in Lagos which declared unlawful the expenditure of N110 billion appropriated for the procurement of official vehicles and support allowances for members of the 10th National Assembly.
Justice Yellim Bogoro had ruled that the N40 billion used to procure 360 Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) for members of the House of Representatives and 109 SUVs for senators, as well as the N70 billion allocated as support allowances for newly inaugurated lawmakers, did not comply with procurement laws.
The court consequently described the expenditure as unlawful and directed the leadership of the National Assembly, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, to ensure that future procurement processes and expenditures strictly adhere to due process, transparency, accountability and value-for-money principles.
Following the judgment, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), which instituted the suit, called on members of the National Assembly to refund the N110 billion to the Federal Government.
However, ASJA, in a statement issued on Monday and signed by its Executive Director, Dr. Torkuma Asongo, faulted both the judgment and the calls for a refund, arguing that the matter raises important constitutional questions regarding the operational autonomy of the legislature.
The organisation maintained that the National Assembly, as a separate arm of government, possesses the constitutional authority to make budgetary provisions necessary for the discharge of its legislative functions.
According to ASJA, the procurement of official vehicles for lawmakers should not be viewed as an act of luxury or wastefulness, but as a practical requirement for legislators to carry out oversight responsibilities, constituency engagements, committee assignments and other official duties across the country.
“The National Assembly remains one of the critical institutions of democracy, and its members require adequate operational support to effectively discharge their constitutional mandate. Official vehicles for lawmakers should be regarded as essential tools for legislative work rather than luxury items,” the group stated.
ASJA also described SERAP’s demand for a refund as premature, arguing that interested parties should allow the legal process to run its course, including possible appellate proceedings, before drawing final conclusions.
The group further cautioned against actions capable of weakening the legislature, stressing that the doctrine of separation of powers remains a cornerstone of constitutional democracy.
While acknowledging the importance of transparency and accountability in public spending, ASJA warned that excessive public pressure and sensationalism could undermine the independence of the National Assembly and weaken democratic institutions.
It urged civil society groups and other stakeholders to approach issues concerning the legislature with objectivity and restraint, noting that efforts to legitimise parliament could erode public confidence in governance.
The organisation reaffirmed its support for the National Assembly as Nigeria’s foremost representative institution and called for continued efforts to strengthen democratic institutions as part of the country’s democratic consolidation process.
