Ayodele Asalu, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, has claimed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration increased the constituency project allowance for members of the House of Representatives from ₦200 million to ₦1 billion following the removal of fuel subsidy.
Constituency allowances are federal funds allocated to lawmakers to support socio-economic and rural development projects within their constituencies.
Speaking in a recent meeting with supporters — as seen in a video obtained by IntelRegion — Asalu, a former aspirant for the Ede/Egbedore/Ejigbo Federal Constituency, said that no Reps member currently receives less than ₦1 billion for constituency projects, while senators now reportedly get at least ₦2 billion.
“Before 2024, things weren’t like this,” he said in Yoruba. “But after subsidy removal, federal allocations to states increased — and so did lawmakers’ project funds. If you see a lawmaker executing projects, don’t think it’s from their personal money.”
Asalu praised the Tinubu administration for the funding increase, describing it as a strategic move to improve the lives of citizens by enabling lawmakers to undertake more impactful development projects.
“Take Osun State, for example. Previously, an Honourable member’s allocation was below ₦200 million. Today, no one gets less than ₦1 billion. And no senator gets less than ₦2 billion. These are facts, not secrets,” he asserted.
However, he did not clarify whether the figures are annual or monthly allocations.
His claims echo similar remarks made earlier by Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North Senatorial District, who revealed in March 2024 that he received over ₦1 billion for constituency projects in the 2024 budget.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1351180356117743
According to Nwoko:
“Senators get what they lobby for. It’s not automatic. A better system would be a uniform allocation for all. But as it stands, your influence determines what you get.”
He added:
“We’re not talking about personal money. These are funds for roads, water, training programs — all within the constituency. And yes, I got over ₦1 billion. That’s why I can do what I do for my people.”
This revelation has sparked public debate over transparency and equity in the allocation and use of constituency project funds.
