When the House reconvenes, Rep. Auyo will be invited to substantiate his claims before the House. Should he be unable to provide evidence, the matter will be referred to the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges.
The House of Representatives rejected recent statements by Hon. Ibrahim Usman Auyo, who claimed that lawmakers receive payments before sponsoring motions, bills, or petitions.
Auyo, the representative for Hadejia, Auyo, and Kafin Hausa Federal Constituency in Jigawa State, made the allegations in a widely circulated video, where he spoke in Hausa while responding angrily to criticisms of his performance from his constituents.
This comes after Auyo faced criticism for not sponsoring a bill since taking office. Findings indicate that he has not introduced any legislation since the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly in June 2023.
In the video, the lawmaker suggested that members are paid between N1 million and N3 million to present motions, bills, or petitions during plenary sessions.
He insisted, however, that these claims were based on personal experience and intended to address questions about his legislative work.
“Since I went to the assembly, it’s not true that someone wrote a motion for their need or others to be presented before the house. It’s all false,” Auyo stated, adding that anyone who disagrees should come forward to challenge him.
Through its spokesman, Hon. Akin Rotimi, the House described the allegations as baseless and cautioned that such statements, if left unverified, could damage public trust in the legislature.
Rotimi explained that any claims about financial inducements must be supported by evidence and processed through the proper parliamentary channels.
He noted that the National Assembly operates under strict constitutional and procedural rules.
Rotimi added that when the House resumes, Auyo will be called upon to provide proof of his claims. If he cannot substantiate them, the matter will be referred to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges for investigation, in line with legislative procedures.
“The House of Representatives has taken note of a viral video in which Rep. Ibrahim Usman Auyo, Member representing Hadejia, Auyo, and Kafin Hausa Federal Constituency of Jigawa State, alleged that Members of the House receive payments to sponsor Motions, Bills, and Petitions.
“These allegations are unsubstantiated and, if left unclarified, risk undermining public confidence in the National Assembly. Statements of this nature must be backed by verifiable facts and presented through the appropriate parliamentary channels.
“In just two years, the People’s House has introduced 2,263 Bills, passed 237, and moved over 1,100 Motions, generating significant interventions across critical sectors such as education, health, infrastructure, security, and economic development. These efforts have triggered substantive executive action and positively impacted the lives of constituents nationwide.
“The National Assembly is an institution of records, with well-established and transparent procedures for introducing Bills, Motions, and Petitions, governed by the Constitution, House Standing Orders, and parliamentary ethics. The insinuation that sponsoring a Motion or Bill is a “contract job” involving bribes is inconsistent with these processes and must be clarified.
“When the House reconvenes, Rep. Auyo will be invited to substantiate his claims before the House. Should he be unable to provide evidence, the matter will be referred to the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges for appropriate consideration, in line with parliamentary procedure.”
This episode has sparked renewed conversations about the conduct and accountability of elected officials in Nigeria. While viral claims heightened public interest, the House has emphasised that its procedures for sponsoring motions, bills, and petitions are transparent, regulated, and designed to prevent any form of financial influence.