A member of the House of Representatives, Ibrahim Auyo, representing Hadejia/Auyo/Kafin Hausa federal constituency in Jigawa state, is currently in trouble after he claimed that lawmakers pay up to N3 million to present bills, motions, and petitions on the chamber floor.
Rep. Auyo, an All Progressives Congress, APC, revealed this during a meeting with his constituents in the state.
There are indications that the lawmaker could face sanctions when the House resumes plenary for making the remark.
Already, the leadership of the House of Representatives has challenged him to provide evidence for his claim that lawmakers pay to move motions and bills.
The lawmaker had in a viral video told his constituents, who criticised him for infrequently sponsoring bills and motions, that legislators pay between N1 million and N3 million to get their proposals passed.
He said that since he was elected as a member in 2015, no individual had given him a bill to pass, either from Auyo, Hadejia, or Kafin Hausa, adding that they were just pretending.
“And also, even the bills and petitions are paid for. You have to pay from N3 million, N2 million, or N1 million to present it.
“And after you present the bill, you must follow up by lobbying the whole 360 members of the house to accept the bill," he said.
Reacting in a statement on Friday, the House, through its spokesperson, Akin Rotimi, said the lawmaker will face the ethics panel if he does not prove his claim.
“The House of Representatives has taken note of a viral video in which Rep. Ibrahim Usman Auyo, Member representing Hadejia, Auyo, and Kafin Hausa Federal Constituency of Jigawa State, who alleged that Members of the House receive payments to sponsor Motions, Bills, and Petitions,” the statement read.
It said that the allegations were unsubstantiated and, if left unclarified, risk undermining public confidence in the National Assembly.
According to the statement, such an allegation must be backed by verifiable facts and presented through the appropriate parliamentary channels.
“The insinuation that sponsoring a motion or bill is a ‘contract job’ involving bribes is inconsistent with these processes and must be clarified.
“When the House reconvenes, Rep. Auyo will be invited to substantiate his claims before the House," the statement added.
Rotimi emphasized the House of Representatives' commitment to fostering mutual respect among members while upholding the dignity of parliament.