The recent call by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) on disclosure of the exact amount of monthly running costs allotted to members of the National Assembly (NASS) addresses the issue of transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s governance.
Development Diaries reports that SERAP has urged the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, to disclose the exact amount of monthly running costs allotted to members of the NASS.
By demanding that the legislative leaders provide details on these expenditures, SERAP is addressing a key issue that has long plagued Nigeria’s political landscape – the lack of transparency in the financial operations of public officials.
The secrecy surrounding the financial allowances and running costs for members of the National Assembly has often fueled public suspicion and allegations of corruption.
In a country where a significant portion of the population lives in poverty, the perceived opulence and unaccounted spending by lawmakers can erode public trust in government institutions.
We agree with SERAP’s demand because it is not just a call for financial disclosure, it is also a call for restoring public confidence in the legislative arm of government by ensuring that lawmakers are held accountable for how public funds are utilised.
The success of this demand could set a precedent for increased transparency across other arms of government because trust in governance is fundamentally tied to the perception of fairness, accountability, and responsiveness of government officials.
When public officials are seen to be operating in secrecy or benefiting disproportionately from public resources, it undermines the social contract between the government and the governed.
Hence, the disclosure of these running costs highlights the importance of transparency as a tool for fostering trust in governance.
Development Diaries calls on the National Assembly to disclosure the exact amount of monthly running costs allotted to members of NASS as demanded by SERAP, as it could signal a commitment to greater accountability, potentially enhancing the trust citizens have in their leaders and institutions.
