By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse
A civic group under the aegis of the Hadejia/Auyo/Kafin-Hausa Coalition for Development (HAKCOD) has faulted the decision of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) to initiate legal action against the leadership of the National Assembly, describing the move as “baseless and unfair.”
HAKCOD, in a statement signed by its chairman, Comrade Abubakar Maje Ahmed, and made available to National Update in Dutse, expressed concern over what it called the “recurring misinterpretation” of comments attributed to Hon. Usman Kamfani Auyo, the lawmaker representing Hadejia/Auyo/Kafin-Hausa Federal Constituency.
According to the group, the controversy traces back to August 2025, when certain political opponents allegedly distorted remarks made by Hon. Auyo during a media interaction — falsely claiming that he said lawmakers must make payments before sponsoring a bill in the National Assembly.
“Hon. Usman never made such a claim and has since clarified his statement,” Comrade Abubakar stated.
“He merely explained that some legislators voluntarily engage consultants — at personal costs of up to ₦3 million — to help draft bills or motions before presentation. These are not bribes or legislative prerequisites.”
HAKCOD described the reports suggesting that lawmakers pay between ₦1 million and ₦3 million to present motions or bills as “deliberate political blackmail” designed to smear the lawmaker’s image.
The coalition said it was “disappointing” that SERAP chose to rely on what it called “false and mischievous interpretations” to justify its planned court action against the National Assembly leadership.
“This decision, based on inaccuracies, is an injustice not just to Hon. Usman Auyo but to the entire Hadejia/Auyo/Kafin-Hausa Federal Constituency — a region known for its integrity, patriotism, and contributions to national development,” the group noted.
HAKCOD, therefore, called on SERAP and other civic bodies to “reconsider their stance” and ensure fairness, objectivity, and due verification of facts before taking legal or public positions on sensitive political matters.
“What Nigeria needs now is constructive engagement, not sensationalism that undermines public trust in democratic institutions,” the statement added.