Segun Sowunmi, a former PDP spokesperson and political analyst, has called on the federal government to eliminate constituency projects from the national budget, describing them as a tool for “budget padding in plain sight.”
Speaking during a policy roundtable on public finance in Abuja, Sowunmi did not mince words. He said the entire practice of allocating billions for projects tied to individual lawmakers is a misuse of government funds and a loophole that enables corruption.
“This system is being used to inflate the budget and funnel money into projects that are neither monitored nor completed,” he said. “It is a scam. The budget is not meant to be a gift bag for legislators.”
Sowunmi argued that development funds should go through the appropriate ministries and agencies, with transparent procurement and auditing processes. Constituency projects, he said, have become political favors disguised as development work, and the cost to the country is massive.
His remarks come amid increasing scrutiny of the 2024 budget and widespread allegations that padded figures are being passed off as legitimate community needs. The statement is likely to spark debate as Nigeria continues grappling with rising debt and public sector inefficiencies.
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