APC rep: Lawmakers pay about N3m each to present bills, motions at plenary

Reps

Ibrahim Auyo, a member of the house of representatives, says lawmakers pay up to N3 million to present bills, motions, and petitions on the chamber floor.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker who represents Hadejia/Auyo/Kafin Hausa federal constituency in Jigawa spoke during a meeting with his constituents in the state.

In videos that have since gone viral, the lawmaker 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. Auyo spoke in Hausa language in the video.

“Since I was elected as a member in 2015, no individual has given me a bill to pass, either from Auyo, Hadejia, or Kafin Hausa. They are just pretending,” he said.

“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.”

The lawmaker also dismissed claims that he has not assisted constituents in securing employment.

“That is not true. Whoever says I didn’t help our youth is lying.Those I helped know themselves, and I can’t satisfy all,” he said.

“Even God that creates us [did not make us equal]. Look at your five fingers; they are not the same, so you can’t satisfy all.

“I do distribute my things [empowerment] myself, and 80 percent out of 100 percent is for youths, I swear to almighty Allah.

“My first motorcycle and car distribution was distributed to the youths. No single elderly person benefited. Just recently, during the governor’s empowerment in Auyo LGA, all the beneficiaries were youths.”