N37 billion NASS renovation: It was not brought to the house, Akin Alabi says

Politician-cum-businessman, Akin Alabi has criticized lawmakers plans to spend N37 billion on the renovation of the National Assembly complex.

Alabi who expressed his displeasure at the proposed upgrade on Twitter asked that the money be diverted to education and healthcare instead.

He said, "I see no reason why we should spend N37b renovating the National Assembly. Yes, we need upgrade on some aspects like the electronic systems (sound system, voting system etc) as they are outdated but N37b? No. Let’s spend that on our schools and hospitals."

I see no reason why we should spend N37b renovating the National Assembly. Yes, we need upgrade on some aspects like the electronic systems (sound system, voting system etc) as they are outdated but N37b? No. Let’s spend that on our schools and hospitals.

— Oloye Akin Alabi (@akinalabi) December 29, 2019

A few Twitter reactions were unimpressed with the lawmaker's statement.

A user, @AAdebowales said, "Can you "honestly" make this observation on the floor of the Green chamber?"

Can you "honestly" make this observation on the floor of the Green chamber ?

— Sean (@AAdebowales) December 29, 2019

@Ali_resilient registered his displeasure as well

I saw a post like this just now word for word nothing change

— greenvegefruits (@Ali_resilient) December 29, 2019

@marshal4dtop said, "I appreciate the fact that some of the HOR members are coming out to say this. But what I don't understand is why they are just saying this now. Did they reject it when it was brought to the house before approval by the president?

I appreciate the fact that some of the HOR members are coming out to say this. But what I don't understand is why they are just saying this now. Did they reject it when it was brought to the house before approval by the president?

— Nelson Marshal (@marshal4dtop) December 29, 2019

However, all hell broke loose when the lawmaker responded on social media that the bill was not brought to the house of representatives.

It was not brought to the house.

— Oloye Akin Alabi (@akinalabi) December 29, 2019

More users found the lawmakers response untenable.

@Babawon123 said, "Stop this pettiness Oloye... Is it that you and your many colleagues in the green chamber don't know the content of the budget before it is passed??..."

Stop this pettiness Oloye... Is it that you and your many colleagues in the green chamber don't know the content of the budget before it is passed??...

— #freedadiyatanow Adeleye Oluyemi A. (@Babawon123) December 30, 2019

@Mannyboom4 probed further.

Sir does it mean that it's not a part of the constitution in the house that all proposed bills and funds must be brought to the house for scrutinizing before it becomes approved? Or they now ignore that process.

— Chukwuka Emmanuel (@Mannyboom4) December 29, 2019

@mywordon said the budget was padded.

That means it was padded

— I BELIEVE IN NIJA (@mywordon) December 29, 2019

More questions kept pouring in but Alabi would leave that thread unattended.

Is the N37bn proposed spending not in the budget? Does it mean that members didn't see the contents of the budget sent to Mr. President which have been signed into law?

— Mazi (@MrNonsoOkolo) December 30, 2019

Which means it was a fait accompli.

In essence, the NASS is a rubber stamp.

— Mayowa... (@CoveredInWords) December 29, 2019

The lawmaker representing Egbeda/Ona Ara Federal constituency is now the second lawmaker to criticise the act after a member of the House Representatives, Bamidele Salam expressed his stance on the matter via his Facebook page last Sunday.