Abubakar Bichi At 45: The Birthday Extravagance Of Reps Most Influential Man That Exposes NASS Budget Secrets

Abubakar Bichi At 45

 

OpenLife News reports that the lavish celebration marking the 45th birthday of the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Honourable  Abubakar Kabir Bichi, has sparked public debate, with a political analyst describing it as a mere display of extravagance that negates Nigeria’s current poverty realities.

Professor  Babayo Sule, formerly of Gombe State University now an Associate Professor, University of Namibia Sule who is a governance and legislative analyst, said the widespread newspaper advertisements and public show of affluence by Bichi’s colleagues and associates raise legitimate questions about political patronage, transparency in the budget process, and accountability in public office.

Honourable  Abubakar Bichi, who turned 45 recently, was celebrated across major national dailies with congratulatory messages attributed to his federal constituency projects and interventions in Bichi, Kano State.

Reacting to the celebration in an interview with Daily Trust, Professor Sule said while some of Bichi’s interventions are commendable, the opulence that trailed his birthday is unsettling.

“To me, it was a display of extravagance and opulence amid widespread poverty, including in the constituency the lawmaker represents,” Prof Sule said.

On Constituency Projects

The academic, who said he does not support the constituency project system in its current form, argued that the Constitution clearly demarcates legislative responsibilities as lawmaking, amendment of laws and oversight, while project execution remains an executive function.

He cited former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari who had, at various times, described constituency projects as diversionary and wasteful.

Buhari, he noted, reportedly said over N2 trillion had been allocated to such projects between 1999 and 2023.

“In many cases, constituency projects involve flamboyant or non-beneficial interventions, such as building stadiums in villages, conference centres and skills acquisition centres that are not adequately equipped,” he said.

However, he commended Bichi’s intervention in education.

“A report published in June 2026 stated that he paid approximately N40 million in tuition or registration fees for 2,423 students at the Federal College of Education (Technical), Bichi, for the first semester of the 2025/2026 academic session.

“This is the type of intervention I believe lawmakers should prioritise,” he added.

Other projects linked to the lawmaker include a reported 2,000-unit housing project, school improvements, road construction, skills acquisition centres, an e-library equipped with computers and internet facilities, and a mini stadium in Bichi.

How Bichi Attracted Projects

Prof Sule linked Bichi’s ability to attract projects to his strategic legislative positions.

He noted that Bichi chaired the House Committee on Works from 2019 to 2023, overseeing federal infrastructure programmes, before becoming Chairman of the Appropriation Committee – a position he described as one of the most influential in the National Assembly.

“The transition from the Committee on Works to the Committee on Appropriation is particularly significant because the latter occupies a central position in the federal budget process,” he explained.

According to him, the office confers four advantages on budgetary influence in scrutinising federal expenditure; access to government institutions including MDAs; political bargaining power to advocate for constituency interests; and national visibility beyond Kano State.

Birthday Fanfare and Political Patronage

On whether the birthday fanfare reflects political influence, Prof Sule said it reflects the culture of patronage around strategic offices.

“Such a display tells us something about the influence he may have acquired and the extent to which colleagues and other individuals are willing to publicly associate themselves with him,” he said.

“Birthday advertisements and public expressions of praise can, therefore, be viewed within the wider context of political patronage and the pursuit of influence,” the Professor clarifies.

He cautioned, however, that the advertisements alone do not prove that public funds were used or that favours were sought, stressing that such would require evidence.

“What they do justify is public discussion about the culture of political loyalty, the display of wealth and the accountability expected of public office holders,” he said.

Transparency of Budget Process

Prof Sule said anyone who occupies the chairmanship of the Appropriation Committee in the Senate or House becomes highly influential, citing Senator Danjuma Goje who chaired the Senate Committee on Appropriation between 2015 and 2019, and the 2016 budget padding controversy involving former House Appropriation Chairman, Abdulmumin Jibrin.

“These controversies highlight the need for transparency in the budget process. When a committee occupies such an influential position, the public should be able to understand how allocations are considered,” he said.

He called for clear procedures, documented decisions, effective oversight and public access to budget justifications, adding that allegations of bribery or budget manipulation must be investigated.

Role of EFCC, ICPC, CCB

On the role of anti-graft agencies, Prof Sule said laws on asset declaration already exist, but enforcement remains weak.

“The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and the Code of Conduct Bureau should perform their statutory responsibilities effectively,” he said.

He referenced the Code of Conduct Tribunal case involving former Senate President Bukola Saraki as an example of how asset declaration issues can lead to legal action.

He also urged agencies to investigate credible allegations of unexplained wealth, verify sources of income and scrutinise constituency project delivery and procurement.

He further urged civil society organisations such as BudgIT, Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) and Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) to translate accountability reports into major Nigerian languages – Hausa, Fulfulde, Igbo and Yoruba – and disseminate them via short video and audio clips to reach more citizens.

“Citizens also have responsibilities, beginning with elections. They should vote for candidates with records of integrity… After elections, citizens should not simply fold their arms and wait until the next election. They must monitor their representatives,” he concluded.