The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) has defended Senator Orji Uzor Kalu against allegations of misappropriating ₦14.286 billion in constituency projects. COSEYL's President General, Comrade Goodluck Ibem, and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Okey Nwaoru, released a statement clarifying the role of the National Assembly in the budget process. They argued that constituency-project allocations in the federal budget should not be seen as personal funds given to legislators for execution.
According to COSEYL, the National Assembly is responsible for lawmaking, representation, oversight, and participation in the budgetary and appropriation process. Ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) are responsible for implementing projects after appropriation. The group challenged Labour Party senatorial candidate Chief David Ogba Onuoha Bourdex to provide evidence that the alleged ₦14.286 billion was transferred to Kalu's personal account or any account under his control.
COSEYL emphasized that there is a distinction between a legislator identifying or advocating for a project in the budget and the actual execution of the project. Once a project is appropriated in the federal budget, the relevant government agency is responsible for procurement, contract award, supervision, and implementation. The group urged political actors to distinguish between budgetary provisions and actual disbursement of public funds.
COSEYL said the controversy surrounding the alleged ₦14.286 billion allocation highlights the need for greater public understanding of the budgetary process. Constituents can identify projects required in their communities, while their representatives facilitate their inclusion in the national budget. However, this does not mean the legislator becomes the custodian or implementing authority of the funds.
The group added that the appearance of a project under a constituency-intervention heading does not automatically make the legislator who advocated for it the owner or executor of the project. Questions about project performance should focus on the responsible MDA, contractor, contract value, amount appropriated, funds released, and level of implementation.
COSEYL questioned Bourdex's record in public office, noting that he previously served as chairman of Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State. The group challenged him to make his own record in public office available for public scrutiny if he was seeking to engage voters on accountability. COSEYL also highlighted Kalu's interventions in Abia North, covering education, infrastructure, empowerment, employment facilitation, healthcare, and community development.
COSEYL urged residents of Abia North and the wider South-East to examine political claims critically and distinguish between allegations, budgetary provisions, and actual expenditure. The group said political disagreements should not result in the misrepresentation of the responsibilities of elected representatives or the workings of government.
Key points
- COSEYL clarifies the role of National Assembly in budget process
- Group challenges Bourdex to provide evidence of misappropriation
- COSEYL highlights Kalu's interventions in Abia North
