Olumide Osoba Clarifies Misinformation on N1 Billion Constituency Project Funds
Abuja, Nigeria – The office of *Rt. Hon. Olumide Osoba*, member representing Abeokuta North, Obafemi-Owode, and Odeda Federal Constituency, has issued a statement refuting claims in a viral video alleging that lawmakers received N1 billion in direct government intervention funds for constituency projects.
In a detailed press release signed by his Legislative Assistant, *Oluwaseun Akinpelu*, the lawmaker clarified that the video misrepresents the nature of the Federal Government’s Zonal Intervention Projects (ZIP), which have been part of the Appropriation Act since Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.
The statement explained that under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, the removal of the PMS subsidy and the floating of the foreign exchange (FOREX) policy led to increased government revenue and inflation. As part of the *Renewed Hope Agenda*, the Federal Government, in collaboration with the National Assembly, deliberated and approved an increase in capital project funding to cushion the economic impact on Nigerians.
However, the lawmaker emphasised that ongoing projects are still being funded under the *2024 Appropriation Act*, while the proposed increase is captured in the *2025 budget*, which is yet to be implemented.
The statement categorically denied claims in the video that N1 billion had already been disbursed directly to legislators, describing the report as misleading. It clarified that while lawmakers influence project selection, funds are released to Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) for execution—a long-standing practice in Nigeria’s budgetary process.
The release further stated that the increased capital project fund is a nationwide initiative aimed at infrastructural development across federal constituencies, with MDAs, not lawmakers, handling the disbursement and implementation.
Rt. Hon. Osoba reassured his constituents that once the 2025 funds are released to MDAs, he would ensure fair and even distribution of projects across Abeokuta North, Obafemi-Owode, and Odeda Federal Constituency, as he has done in the past.
The lawmaker urged the public to disregard the misleading video, reiterating that no funds are directly given to legislators under the capital intervention scheme.
