Lawmakers Accused of Paying Millions to Present Bills

A member of the House of Representatives, Ibrahim Auyo, has told his constituents that lawmakers spend between ₦1 million and ₦3 million to present bills, motions, or petitions during plenary sessions.

The All Progressives Congress representative for Hadejia/Auyo/Kafin Hausa Federal Constituency in Jigawa made the remarks while meeting with residents in his constituency. Videos of the discussion, recorded in Hausa, have since spread widely online.

Addressing criticism that he rarely sponsors bills or motions, Auyo explained that the process comes with heavy financial demands. He said legislators are expected to pay before presenting proposals and must also lobby all 360 members of the House to secure approval.

He told constituents that since his election in 2015, no individual from his constituency had approached him with a bill to sponsor. He also defended his record on youth empowerment, insisting that the majority of beneficiaries of his initiatives were young people.

The lawmaker claimed that some youths sell the empowerment items given to them, such as motorcycles and cars, for far less than their value. He said he personally oversees the distribution process to ensure fairness, adding that elderly residents were excluded in favour of youths during his first rounds of support.

Auyo urged constituents to work together through community leaders to identify needs and submit proposals for his consideration. He said any bill presented through the proper channels could be reviewed and possibly sponsored.

He warned against insulting leaders for political reasons, saying such actions could breed division and disrespect. The legislator, whose term runs until 2027, expressed confidence in continuing to represent the constituency.

When contacted by journalists for further comment, his mobile line was unreachable, and text messages went unanswered. The revelation comes amid ongoing public concerns over the cost of governance, allegations of bribery, and secrecy surrounding lawmakers’ pay.