The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has accused the Federal Government of deepening fiscal recklessness, undermining democratic institutions and failing to uphold accountability, warning that Nigeria’s governance is heading in a dangerous direction ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at a state of the nation briefing in Abuja, the Executive Director of CHRICED, Comrade Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi, said recent developments reflected a pattern of misuse of public resources, weakening constitutional norms and growing intolerance for dissent.
The group criticized the 2026 Appropriation Act, citing findings by Tracka, a BudgIT initiative, which showed that ₦8.05 billion was allocated for the construction and furnishing of churches and mosques through ministries, departments and agencies whose mandates do not include religious infrastructure.
According to CHRICED, the allocations included ₦6.14 billion for 52 mosque-related projects and ₦1.91 billion for seven church projects, while ₦780 million was earmarked by the Office of the Deputy Speaker for church musical instruments.
The organization argued that such spending violated the spirit of Section 10 of the Constitution, which prohibits the adoption of a state religion, and questioned why public funds were being spent on religious projects at a time of widespread economic hardship.
It also faulted other government expenditures, including ₦500 million for an international communications campaign to counter allegations of religious persecution, a $9 million contract awarded to a United States lobbying firm to improve Nigeria’s image, and ₦6.44 billion allocated for FIFA World Cup qualifying activities despite Nigeria’s failure to qualify.
CHRICED also alleged that billions of naira meant for the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education were diverted to projects unrelated to education.
The group claimed that out of the commission’s ₦22.8 billion allocation, funds were used for road construction, solar streetlights and empowerment programmes in Ogun, Katsina and Ekiti states instead of initiatives targeted at out-of-school children.
Describing the allocations as a betrayal of vulnerable children, CHRICED said the diversion of education funds would worsen the country’s out-of-school children crisis.
The organization further expressed concern over Nigeria’s rising public debt, which it said had reached ₦159.28 trillion despite the removal of fuel subsidy, tax reforms and government claims of improved revenue generation.
It questioned why ministries and agencies continued to complain of poor budget releases and criticized the repeated extension of annual budgets, arguing that the practice had weakened fiscal discipline and legislative oversight.
On constitutional reform, CHRICED accused the National Assembly of prioritizing an executive-backed state police bill while sidelining broader constitutional reform proposals.
It argued that state police would be ineffective without addressing underlying issues, including inadequate funding of the Nigeria Police Force, dependence of states on federal allocations, proliferation of arms and political violence.
The organization also raised concerns over the alleged ₦1.3 billion Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council scandal, saying conflicting accounts by government agencies exposed weaknesses in institutional accountability.
CHRICED called for the suspension of the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, to ensure an independent investigation, insisting that no public official should be shielded from scrutiny.
The rights group also demanded a transparent investigation into the death of nurse Mary Habila at the country home of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, and called for the minister’s suspension pending the outcome of the investigation.
On security, CHRICED urged authorities to clarify conflicting accounts surrounding the Oriire school abduction, following claims by one of the victims that the children were released by their captors rather than rescued.
It also called for an investigation into allegations that ₦5 billion was approved for the release of abductees in Borno State, with ₦1.9 billion allegedly paid to insurgents.
The organization further condemned what it described as escalating attacks on opposition political parties, alleging intimidation of members, disruption of rallies, arbitrary arrests, denial of access to public venues and the misuse of security agencies.
It warned that shrinking political space threatened Nigeria’s democracy and urged the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies to remain impartial.
CHRICED called on President Bola Tinubu to strengthen fiscal discipline and accountability, urged the National Assembly to restore integrity to the budget process, and asked anti-corruption agencies to investigate all allegations of budget irregularities.
The group also appealed to civil society organizations, the media, faith-based institutions and development partners to intensify efforts to promote transparency, constitutional compliance and democratic governance as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections.
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