Nigerian senators and members of the House of Representatives allegedly received cash payments from the presidency on Friday, leading them to abandon a planned protest during the 2026 budget presentation. According to The Peoples Gazette, senators received $50,000 each while representatives collected $30,000. The funds were reportedly distributed through state caucus leaders after a tense meeting between legislators and ministers over disputed constituency project funds.
The protest threat stemmed from grievances over the implementation of the 2025 budget and an unfair payment plan for constituency projects. Lawmakers were angered that ordinary members would receive only 30% of released funds, while chamber leaders would get full shares. Presidency officials reportedly called legislative leaders hours before the session, promising financial inducement to ensure a smooth budget presentation by President Bola Tinubu.
Multiple lawmakers confirmed the transactions, stating alerts arrived immediately after Tinubu’s speech. One legislator described the payment as a seasonal offering, telling The Gazette, “They said the money was a Christmas gift from the president to the honourables. Christmas is the season to collect gifts, even from the president.” A Senate spokesperson denied knowledge of the payments, while the presidential spokesman did not respond for comment.