According to FIJ, Professor Joash Amupitan, newly ratified as INEC Chairman, stated in a 2016 interview that budget padding by the National Assembly is a "lawful" and constitutional exercise of its legislative powers, a view that contrasts sharply with anti-corruption advocates.
Key Points:
- In a 2016 interview, Prof. Amupitan argued that budget padding is "lawful."
- He stated the National Assembly has the constitutional power to alter the budget.
- His comments were made during a padding scandal involving then-Speaker Yakubu Dogara.
- He framed the public outrage as a misunderstanding of constitutional powers.
- Anti-corruption group SERAP had countered that padding "amounts to corruption."
- Amupitan clarified that lawmakers could still be investigated for proven crimes.
- The context raises questions about his stance on institutional integrity and oversight.
Sources: FIJ
