Early Stealing: Document Shows Senate President Akpabio Awarded Over N6 Billion Contracts To Self In Manipulated 2022 Amended Supplementary Budget

Secret Reporters

The amended 2022 supplementary budget appears to have been manipulated by the Nigerian Senate President, Mr Godswill Obot Akpabio. The suspicions arose from the number of projects allocated to Akpabio’s constituency and the budgeted amount for the projects, sparking worries of potential diversion of funds and corruption.

Akpabio, who previously served as a Senator representing Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District from 2015 to 2019, followed by a stint as the Minister for Niger Delta Affairs from 2019 to 2022, has a history of political influence in the region. Having also served as the Governor of Akwa Ibom State from 2007 to 2015, Akpabio’s deep-rooted connections raise serious concerns about the propriety of his actions.

Barely a month after he assumed office as the Senate President in June 2023 in a election which saw him forcefully installed on the country’s President’s order, the Senate, under his leadership, and the House of Representatives, led by Rt Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, swiftly approved the supplementary budget amendment request within 24 hours.

This expedited approval seems to be connected to Akpabio’s interest in the supplementary budget, especially considering the timing in the seventh month of the 2023 financial year. The sudden push for an amendment to the 2022 supplementary budget and its quick approval raise questions about fiscal planning, budgetary processes, and potential financial misappropriation.

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However, the focal point of concern centers on the allocation of funds to various projects in Akpabio’s home as seen by SecretReporters. Several projects listed in the amended budget that raises eyebrows are:

Construction of Some Rural Roads in Ikot Expene LGA, Akwa Ibom State, to Enhance Agricultural Output (Budget: N700,000,000).

Construction of Some Rural Roads in Essien Udim LGA to Improve Farm Produce (Budget: N1,250,000,000).

Construction of Afaha Kot Ebak, Ikot Akpan Essiet, Ura Kpan, Ikot Ukpng, and Ikot Ebie Okon Roads to Boost Agricultural Output (Budget: N1,250,000,000).

Construction of Ibiakpan-Not Akan/Old Federal Government College Roads to Boost Farm Produce (Budget: N400,000,000).

Construction of Some Rural Roads in Abiakpo, Ikot Essien-Ikono, to Ease Movement of Farm Produce (Budget: N1,250,000,000).

Construction of Some Roads Adaha Ayam-Urua Uto/Ikot Imo Road in Abak LGA to Improve Agricultural Output (Budget: N1,250,000,000).

The disproportionate allocation of funds to projects in Akpabio’s stronghold raises suspicions of favoritism and potential financial gain for the Senate President.

By the unwritten rules of the Nigerian legislative House, lawmakers influences who becomes contractors of projects done within their Constituency.