A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. (Barrister) Benedict Oghenevwairhe Etanabene, has decried the growing frustration among lawmakers in the 10th National Assembly over welfare challenges, and unpaid constituency project funds.
The federal lawmaker also highlighted the alleged unfair treatment of the legislature by the President Bola Tinubu-controlled executive arm of the Nigerian government.
In an open letter titled “2024, 2025, and the Coming 2026 Budget Implementation and Implication” and addressed to his “dear colleagues of the 10th Assembly,” Etanabene painted a bleak picture of lawmakers’ financial struggles, alleging neglect by the Nigerian government despite repeated loyalty to the executive.
“It’s very important and urgent that I write this piece at this time,” Etanabene began. “I’m not speaking as an opposition political party member. Far from it.
“The issue here is not about a political party. The above topic has equal implications for all of us as members of this 10th Assembly.”
Etanabene, representing Sapele Federal Constituency of Delta State on the platform of the Labour Party (LP), said members from both ruling and opposition parties were suffering the same “inability to perform” due to lack of resources, adding that even House leaders were under “biting pressure.”
“My dear colleagues, we are all in the same boat,” he wrote. “Even the leadership members in the House are not enjoying either. Many of them are not looking as robust as they used to be at the beginning of the 10th Assembly.”
He decried what he described as the “hardship” legislators face, claiming that 90 percent of members may not be re-elected because of the financial burden of campaigns.
“I don’t think any member will spend anything less than N1billion in the re-election process. So, where does this come from?” he asked.
Etanabene further lamented non-payment for projects executed under the 2024 budget, despite completion.
“Till the end of 2025, no payment has been made. I haven’t received one dime since I completed these jobs in December 2024,” he revealed. “How can I be a philanthropist to the government? I cannot be one borrowing and donating funds to the government.”
He accused the executive of selectively funding projects of interest while ignoring lawmakers’ appropriations.
“The Federal Government is selecting projects they have their interest to execute and pay themselves with appropriated funds from the House. Haba! What kind of system is this?”
Expressing deep anger, the legislator threatened a symbolic protest if the matter remains unresolved before President Bola Tinubu’s presentation of the 2026 budget.
“The day Mr President comes to present the 2026 budget in this chamber, I will jump on my desk and strip to my pants in embarrassment to all concerned,” he warned.
Etanabene, who said he is “61 years of age” and has “nothing to lose,” insisted his actions would aim to draw national attention to the plight of lawmakers.
“If this my action doesn’t receive a prompt response of payment… I will explore and invoke related provisions of the laws of the Federal Republic in addressing this issue.”
He urged members of the national assembly to unite across party lines to address their shared challenges.
“The APC, PDP, LP, SDP, ADC, and YPP are all in the House suffering the same poor position. Why can’t we all come together with a common purpose to address this unsavoury situation?”
Despite assuring that his intentions were not rebellious, the lawmaker warned that history would “never forgive” the Assembly if members continued to remain silent.
“I have outgrown being betrayed,” he wrote. “There’s no coup intended in any form. But now is the time, my dear colleagues, now or never.”
