Omoyele Sowore, the African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has called for the abolishment of the Nigerian Senate in response to allegations that Senators received N500 million each from the 2024 budget. The revelation was made by Senator Agom Jarigbe during a Senate session on the alleged padding of the 2024 budget. Jarigbe later clarified that the figure was allocated for constituency projects.
Sowore, the convener of RevolutionNow, took to social media to express his stance, denouncing the Senate as a “coven of thieves” and a “retirement home for chronic liars and corrupt former governors.” He advocated for the elimination of the bicameral legislative system, especially the Nigerian Senate, proposing a unicameral legislative arm with no more than 100 part-time lawmakers. Sowore stated, “We need a unicameral legislative arm with no more than 100 part-time lawmakers. #RevolutionNow.”
Meanwhile, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, the Majority Leader of the Red Chamber, confirmed that Senators indeed received N500 million for constituency projects. He urged Nigerians to be patient with lawmakers in implementing these projects in their respective constituencies. The developments highlight the ongoing discussions and concerns regarding the allocation of funds and transparency in Nigeria’s legislative system.
