The House of Representatives has strongly denied allegations that lawmakers demanded bribes from vice-chancellors of federal universities to approve their 2025 budget allocations, describing the reports as a deliberate smear campaign.
Reacting to the claims, the House, through its spokesman, Akin Rotimi, said on Wednesday that the allegations lacked merit and were part of an attempt to tarnish the integrity of the legislative body.
“The 10th House of Representatives remains committed to transparency, accountability, and upholding the highest ethical standards,” Rotimi stated.
“These baseless allegations appear to be a calculated move to erode public trust in this institution.”
The House also took a swipe at the media platform that published the report, accusing it of failing to follow due diligence in its investigative process.
Rotimi revealed that the media outlet in question did not seek the House’s reaction before publishing the story, only reaching out two days after the allegations had already gained traction.
“Unfortunately, this particular platform has become a channel for such sensationalism,” he said.
“If anyone has credible evidence of misconduct, they should present it to the appropriate authorities, such as the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges or anti-corruption agencies like the ICPC for proper investigation.”
The House reaffirmed its dedication to its constitutional duties, insisting that distractions like unfounded allegations would not derail its commitment to good governance and accountability.
Rotimi urged the media to uphold professionalism and integrity in their reportage, emphasizing that responsible journalism was crucial in strengthening democracy and fostering transparency in governance.
The controversy comes amid heightened scrutiny of budgetary allocations in Nigeria’s public institutions, with concerns over transparency and accountability remaining a key issue in the nation’s governance.
