Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
LAGOS, Nigeria — The Lagos State House of Assembly has formally dismissed assertions that it allocated more than ₦26 billion in the 2026 Appropriation Law for the purchase of residential properties in Abuja and Lagos, as well as vehicles for its members. The clarification follows criticism from opposition parties, including the Labour Party and the African Democratic Congress, who had lambasted the perceived spending as “outrageous” and symptomatic of fiscal mismanagement.
In a public statement jointly signed by Hon. Stephen Ogundipe, Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Strategy and Security, and Hon. Sa’ad Olumoh, Chairman of the House Committee on Economic Planning and Budget, the legislature described the reports of such allocations as false, misleading and politically motivated. They emphasised that the official 2026 budget — tagged the “Budget of Shared Prosperity” and signed into law by Governor Babajide Sanwo‑Olu — contains no provisions for purchasing houses for lawmakers in Abuja or elsewhere outside Lagos State, nor any extraordinary vehicle‑acquisition line items for legislators.
The House of Assembly underscored that its constitutional role and operational jurisdiction are confined to Lagos State, making any claim of appropriating funds for personal housing in the federal capital territory or other locations both illogical and unfounded. Members of the legislature highlighted that the capital appropriations attributed to the Assembly constitute a minimal fraction — less than 0.04 per cent — of the overall state capital expenditure, and routinely reflect careful fiscal stewardship.
Despite the Assembly’s rebuttal, opposition parties had seized on the budget narrative to criticise the state government’s fiscal priorities in the context of rising cost‑of‑living pressures and palpable public concern about governance accountability. Lagos chapters of the Labour Party and the African Democratic Congress publicly denounced what they characterised as an “excessive” appropriation of public funds for the benefit of lawmakers. They framed the alleged budget lines as emblematic of disconnect between political elites and ordinary residents, particularly as many Lagosians grapple with housing shortages, infrastructure deficits and economic hardship. Their critiques were amplified on social media platforms, where screenshots and posts suggesting that large sums were earmarked for lawmakers’ personal assets circulated widely, fuelling public debate and mistrust.
The Assembly’s leadership responded to the opposition’s attacks by cautioning against election‑season misinformation and urging the public to consult the official budget documents, which they say are in the public domain and verifiable. The statement also challenged critics to substantiate their claims with credible evidence or face potential legal consequences for propagating baseless allegations.
Political analysts note that contention over budget transparency and accuracy is not unique to Lagos but reflects broader tensions in Nigeria’s democratic governance. Fiscal documents in many states are often subject to activist scrutiny and opposition commentary, particularly in periods preceding elections. In Lagos — Nigeria’s largest and economically most significant state — such dynamics are intensified by the visibility of governance debates and the political stakes involved. Observers assert that while opposition parties have a mandate to hold government to account, insistence on accuracy and context when discussing fiscal data is critical to maintaining informed public discourse.
The 2026 Lagos State budget, which totals approximately ₦4.4 trillion and has been formally enacted, prioritises infrastructure development, education, healthcare, economic growth initiatives and social programmes. It represents an incremental expansion from previous fiscal cycles, incorporating inputs from both executive and legislative branches of government following deliberations during the appropriation process. Governor Sanwo‑Olu’s administration has presented the spending plan as a blueprint for inclusive growth and equitable public investment, despite divergent viewpoints about specific allocations.
Lagos civil society groups domestically and diaspora‑based commentators have issued mixed reactions. Some civic organisations reiterated calls for comprehensive public engagement in budget formulation and monitoring. They argue that greater awareness of budget itemisation — including accessible breakdowns of sub‑allocations — can mitigate misinformation and strengthen public confidence in governance processes. Others, however, have expressed scepticism regarding the intent behind the Assembly’s rebuttals, framing them as defensive manoeuvres aimed at preserving institutional reputation rather than addressing substantive concerns about legislative remuneration and spending.
Economists and governance experts have weighed in, noting that the controversy underscores the importance of transparent financial reporting standards and proactive communication by state institutions. They contend that clarity around how public funds are allocated and spent is essential, especially in federating units with complex revenue streams and development pressures. Effective budget literacy among citizens, they add, would reduce susceptibility to rumours and help anchor political debate in empirically grounded analysis rather than speculation.
The dispute also highlights the evolving role of opposition parties in Nigeria’s political landscape. Both the Labour Party and the African Democratic Congress have been increasingly vocal in articulating alternative policy perspectives, particularly on issues related to economic justice, fiscal responsibility and social equity. Their critiques of the Lagos budget — whether fully substantiated or not — reflect a broader agenda of challenging perceived governance shortcomings and asserting political relevance ahead of upcoming electoral contests.
As the public conversation continues, officials in Lagos have reiterated that the approved budget remains a lawful and transparent instrument for guiding state expenditure. They reaffirm official commitments to accountability, prudent management of public resources and ongoing engagement with residents to ensure that fiscal policies align with the needs and aspirations of Lagosians. In issuing its clarification, the House of Assembly stated its intention to strengthen trust in democratic institutions, even as debate over budgetary transparency persists in the wider political arena.
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