The House of Representatives has strongly denied allegations that some lawmakers demanded bribes from Vice-Chancellors of federal universities to approve their 2025 budget allocations. The lawmakers described the report as false, misleading, and an attempt to damage the reputation of the legislature.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the House’s spokesperson, Akin Rotimi, dismissed the claims, saying they were part of a deliberate effort to undermine the integrity of the National Assembly.
“The 10th House of Representatives is firmly committed to transparency, accountability, and the highest ethical standards in all its legislative activities. These values form the bedrock of our operations,” Rotimi said. “It is, therefore, imperative to address the baseless and sensational allegations in the report, which appear to be part of a deliberate attempt to erode public trust in this hallowed institution.”
Budget Process Is Transparent, House Insists
Rotimi explained that the budget approval process follows constitutional guidelines, making it impossible for lawmakers to engage in any wrongdoing. He reminded the public that President Bola Tinubu had presented the 2025 Appropriation Bill before a Joint Session of the National Assembly, in full view of government officials and the general public.
According to him, the accusations of bribery are an attempt to divert attention from the real issue—some university Vice-Chancellors failing to appear before the House for their mandatory budget defense sessions.
“This disregard for the legislative process not only impedes oversight but also shows a lack of respect for the parliament and the Nigerian people,” Rotimi said.
He further revealed that some universities had outstanding audit queries from the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation and had repeatedly refused to appear before the House Committee on Public Accounts to explain financial irregularities.
“This evasion raises concerns about their governance practices and financial stewardship,” he added.
Lawmakers Accuse Vice-Chancellors of Evading Scrutiny
The House accused some university administrators of attempting to escape scrutiny by making baseless allegations against lawmakers.
According to Rotimi, recent oversight visits by the House Committee on University Education uncovered troubling governance issues in certain universities. These preliminary findings, he said, pointed to serious financial mismanagement that required further investigation.
“While we commend those university administrators who have complied with due process, the actions of a few attempting to evade accountability will not go unnoticed,” he warned.
House Criticizes News Platform for Poor Journalism
The House also criticized the media platform that published the bribery allegations, accusing it of abandoning journalistic ethics. The lawmakers said the platform failed to verify its claims before publication.
“The news platform has failed to uphold the principles of balanced journalism,” Rotimi said. “The report lacks any diligent investigative effort and instead amplifies fabricated narratives by individuals seeking to evade accountability.”
Also Read:
- Trump Fuels Third-Term Speculation, Says He’s “Not 100% Sure” He Can’t Run Again
- Alex Ikwechegh says “Nigeria now knows me as man who makes things disappear”
He also accused the platform of bias, stating that it did not seek a reaction from the House before publishing the story.
“A reaction was only requested on Monday, two days after the story had already gone public. This undermines the credibility and professionalism of the publication,” he added.
House Calls for Evidence and Urges Media Responsibility
The lawmakers urged anyone with credible evidence of misconduct to present it to the appropriate authorities, including the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges or anti-corruption agencies like the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The House reiterated its commitment to transparency and good governance, emphasizing that it would not be distracted by baseless accusations.
“We call on all stakeholders, particularly the media, to approach their responsibilities with integrity, professionalism, and a commitment to nation-building. Together, we can strengthen our democracy and promote a more accountable and transparent governance system,” the statement concluded.