Senators Debate Funding Source for Zonal Development Commissions Amid Constitutional Concerns

A heated debate arose during discussions on the South-South Development Commission Establishment Bill 2024, which was being considered as a model for the other commissions. The contentious issue centered around a recommendation from the Senate Committee on Special Duties that the federal government fund the commission using 15% of the statutory allocations of member states.

Senators Wasiu Eshinlokun (APC Lagos East), Yahaya Abdullahi (PDP Kebbi North), and Seriake Dickson (PDP Bayelsa West) argued that such an arrangement could lead to a constitutional crisis. They expressed concern that state governors, who base their budgets, including provisions for minimum wage, on their allocations, might sue the federal government.

Senator Yahaya Abdullahi stated, "Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, the 15% of statutory allocations of member states, recommended for funding of their zonal development commissions, would be litigated against by some state governments." This sentiment was echoed by other members of the upper parliamentary chamber.

In response, Senate Deputy President Barau Jibrin clarified the Committee's recommendation, explaining that the 15% allocation would not involve direct deductions from the statutory funds of member states. Instead, it would be calculated by the federal government and sourced from the Consolidated Revenue Fund. He said, "Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, the 15% of statutory allocation of member states, recommended for funding of Zonal Development Commissions by the federal government, is not about deduction at all."

Despite Jibrin's explanation, some senators remained skeptical, questioning whether the commissions could indeed be funded without statutory deductions. In an effort to diffuse tensions, Senate President Godswill Akpabio reassured the chamber: "We don’t need to be debating whether 15% statutory allocation of member states in a commission would be deducted or not in view of provisions of section 162 (subsection 4) of the 1999 Constitution, which empowers the National Assembly to appropriate from either the Consolidated Revenue Fund or Federation Account."

He added, "15% of the statutory allocation of member states has been recommended by the Senate, and by extension, the National Assembly, for funding of their zonal development commission by the federal government. Anyone who wants to go to court over that may do so."