The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has accused the Federal Government of deepening fiscal recklessness and undermining democratic institutions, alleging widespread budget irregularities, rising public debt and increasing attacks on opposition political parties.
The organisation also called for independent investigations into the controversial death of nurse Mary Habila and the alleged ₦1.3 billion Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council scandal, while urging President Bola Tinubu to restore accountability and fiscal discipline.
Addressing journalists on Tuesday in Abuja during a State of the Nation press briefing, CHRICED Executive Director, Comrade Ibrahim Zikirullahi, said Nigeria’s democracy was facing one of its most critical moments due to what he described as failures of accountability, constitutional compliance and prudent management of public resources.
According to him, the 2026 Appropriation Act exposed serious distortions in the nation’s budget process, citing an analysis by Tracka, an initiative of BudgIT, which reportedly showed that ₦8.05 billion was allocated for the construction and furnishing of churches and mosques through ministries, departments and agencies whose statutory responsibilities do not include religious infrastructure.
He said the allocations comprised ₦6.14 billion for 52 mosque-related projects and ₦1.91 billion for seven church projects.
Zikirullahi also questioned the allocation of ₦780 million by the Office of the Deputy Speaker for church musical instruments, arguing that such expenditure could not be justified at a time when millions of Nigerians were grappling with hunger, unemployment and poor access to healthcare and education.
He maintained that such allocations raised constitutional concerns, noting that Section 10 of the 1999 Constitution prohibits the adoption of any religion as a state religion.
The rights advocate further criticised what he described as questionable government spending, including ₦500 million reportedly budgeted for an international communications campaign to counter allegations of religious persecution, a US$9 million contract awarded to a United States lobbying firm to improve Nigeria’s image abroad, and ₦6.44 billion allocated for FIFA World Cup qualifying activities despite Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the tournament.
On education, CHRICED alleged that billions of naira earmarked for the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education were diverted to projects unrelated to the commission’s mandate.
The organisation claimed that portions of the commission’s ₦22.8 billion allocation were redirected to road construction, solar streetlights and empowerment programmes in Ogun and Katsina states instead of addressing the educational needs of out-of-school children.
“It is not just mismanagement; it is wickedness and inhumanity,” Zikirullahi said, arguing that government had abandoned vulnerable children while insecurity continued to threaten access to education.
CHRICED also expressed concern over Nigeria’s growing debt profile, which it noted had risen to ₦159.28 trillion despite the removal of fuel subsidy and increased government revenue.
The organisation questioned why ministries and agencies continued to complain about poor budget releases while public borrowing increased, and criticised the repeated extension of annual budgets, saying the practice had weakened fiscal discipline and accountability.
On constitutional reform, CHRICED said the ongoing debate on state police should not be manipulated for political interests.
“While we support genuine constitutional reforms, we believe that creating state police without addressing structural challenges such as poor funding of the Nigeria Police Force, dependence of states on federal allocations, proliferation of arms and political interference would only worsen existing security problems.
“Also, the process of constitutional amendment is very faulty. Major constitutional changes should involve extensive public consultation and a national referendum,” it said.
CHRICED further demanded the suspension of the President’s Chief of Staff, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, pending investigation into the alleged ₦1.3 billion Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council scandal.
It argued that conflicting accounts by government agencies over the controversial council had exposed serious institutional weaknesses and maintained that no investigation could be seen as credible if senior officials connected with the matter remained in office.
The organisation equally renewed calls for a transparent investigation into the death of 26-year-old nurse Mary Habila at the country home of the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi.
It urged the Federal Government to suspend the minister pending the outcome of an independent investigation, insisting that public confidence in the justice process required openness and impartiality.
Expressing concern over Nigeria’s political climate ahead of the 2027 general elections, CHRICED alleged increasing intimidation, arbitrary arrests, disruption of political meetings and misuse of security agencies against opposition political parties.
The organisation warned that suppressing political opposition posed a serious threat to democratic governance and urged security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remain neutral and uphold the rule of law.
“CHRICED appeals to civil society organisations, the media, development partners and professional bodies to intensify advocacy for transparency, accountability and constitutional governance as the country prepares for the 2027 elections.
“Nigeria stands at a crossroads,” Zikirullahi said. “Our democracy cannot survive on secrecy, impunity and disregard for constitutional norms. Public resources must serve the people, accountability must replace impunity, and political competition must be protected.”
