The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to President Muhammadu Buhari and the 36 state governors, seeking details on the use of public funds allocated as security votes between 2011 and 2019. The requests call for transparency regarding how these funds, appropriated to address national security, have been spent.

In the requests, SERAP emphasized that with the country’s current security challenges, it is crucial to determine if the funds have been properly used to protect the rights of Nigerians and ensure public safety. The organization specified that the request focuses on visible security measures and projects, excluding intelligence operations.

The FOI requests, dated April 12, 2019, were signed by SERAP’s deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, who highlighted Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, which states that the security and welfare of citizens are the government’s primary responsibility. SERAP raised concerns that, over the years, security votes may have benefited high-ranking officials rather than addressing the security needs of the public.

SERAP further urged the President and governors to release the requested information, stating that failing to do so would only reinforce the perception that security votes are being misused for personal gain. The organization requested a response within seven days and indicated that legal action would follow if the request was ignored.

In its statement, SERAP also noted that despite substantial budget allocations for security, the rising levels of insecurity, violence, and kidnappings, particularly in Zamfara State, suggest that these funds have not been effectively utilized. The organization linked the misuse of security votes to corruption, referencing statements from former Kano State governor, Musa Kwankwaso, who described security votes as a method for diverting public funds.

SERAP concluded that the large financial resources allocated to security votes by successive administrations have not aligned with the worsening security situation in the country, raising concerns over political misuse, mismanagement, or theft of these funds.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the Federal Government and state governments to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of security votes at both levels, stressing that such funds must be properly spent to promote sustainable peace and security in Nigeria.

In a statement, SERAP emphasized that by disclosing information about security vote spending, the government could help dispel concerns that these funds are being used for political purposes, mismanaged, or stolen. This, the organization noted, would provide citizens with the opportunity to assess the commitment of successive governments to ensuring the security of lives and property.

SERAP highlighted that corruption, lack of transparency, and accountability weaken trust in democratic societies, warning that these issues could undermine the foundations of democracy in Nigeria. The group further noted that the responsibility for providing security and protecting citizens’ rights should be shared between the federal and state governments, as many state governors also appropriate significant public funds as security votes, which are often hidden in their budgets.

Citing the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, SERAP pointed out that there is a legal obligation to make details of spending on security measures publicly accessible, including via a dedicated website. The organization argued that the requested information does not fall under the exemptions provided by the FOI Act.

Referencing a 2018 report by Transparency International (TI), SERAP noted that much of the security vote funds are allegedly spent on political activities, mismanaged, or stolen, amounting to over N241.2 billion annually. Additionally, governments receive millions of dollars in international security assistance, and security vote spending reportedly exceeds 70% of the Nigeria Police Force’s annual budget, surpassing the combined budgets of the Nigerian Army, Navy, and Air Force.

In light of these concerns, SERAP urged President Buhari and the state governors to:

• Disclose details of security vote spending since 2011, including specific security measures and projects funded, by publishing the information on a dedicated website.
• Implement measures to end the unconstitutional and illegal use of public funds as security votes.
• Establish Joint Security Trust Funds between the federal and state governments, with a strong legal framework, oversight, and auditing mechanisms, as a permanent replacement for the current security vote system.