“SERAP believes that the House of Representatives cannot function effectively nor enjoy public trust and confidence as long as the allegations of budget padding continue to trail its leadership.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked the speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, and other principal officers accused of being involved in a budget padding scandal to resign while the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other agencies investigates.

In a letter addressed to the Speaker, the group said that several documents circulating on the internet on the alleged budget padding establish a prima-facie case of corruption against him.

“In the circumstances, SERAP calls on you to demonstrate your often-expressed commitment to transparency, accountability, constitutionalism, democratic governance and the rule of law in Nigeria by now stepping aside from your position as Speaker and to ensure that other principal officers suspected to be involved in the budget padding do the same, pending the outcome of the investigation already by the EFCC.”

According to SERAP, the allegations of budget padding by the House leadership have undermined the status of the National Assembly.

“SERAP believes that the House of Representatives cannot function effectively nor enjoy public trust and confidence as long as the allegations of budget padding continue to trail its leadership.

“By stepping aside and ensuring that others suspected to be involved in the budget padding also step aside until such a time as the investigations by the EFCC and other agencies are completed, you will be promoting acts that would enhance the integrity and respect for the National Assembly, as well as strict observance of the constitution both in letter and spirit.”