Nigerian senators received $50,000 each while House of Representatives members got $30,000 in bribes to abandon a planned protest halting the 2026 budget passage and embarrassing President Bola Tinubu over constituency project funding disputes. The cash, distributed via state caucus leaders post-Tinubu's Friday presentation of the N54.46 trillion "Budget of Consolidation," quelled unrest sparked by unequal 2025 allocations favoring chamber leadership.
Tensions peaked during a meeting with Finance Minister Wale Edun, Budget Minister Abubakar Bagudu, and FIRS Chair Zacch Adudeji, where rank-and-file lawmakers, led by Ahmed Wase, clashed over the 30% cap on their N850 billion shares versus full access for leaders. Presidency calls preceded the inducements, framed as "Christmas gifts," with alerts hitting accounts and cash packages confirmed by multiple sources sharing evidence anonymously to evade censure.
Lawmakers shrugged off bribery laws and public trust violations, while Senate spokespersons denied knowledge and presidential aide Bayo Onanuga stayed silent. The scandal underscores chronic appropriation mismanagement, with no ethical repercussions anticipated amid festive justifications.
Original Publication by Abiodun Sanusi