Jigawa Coalition Defends Lawmaker Against SERAP’s Legal Action Over Bill Sponsorship Claims
A community development group in Jigawa State has strongly criticized the planned legal action by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) against National Assembly leadership, defending their representative’s statements about bill sponsorship processes.
The Hadejia/Auyo/Kafin-Hausa Coalition for Development (HAKCOD) issued a statement defending Hon. Usman Kamfani Auyo, who represents the Hadejia/Auyo/Kafin-Hausa Federal Constituency, against what they claim are misrepresented statements about legislative procedures.
HAKCOD’s Chairman, Comrade Abubakar Maje Ahmed, addressed the controversy that emerged in August 2025, following Hon. Auyo’s media comments about bill sponsorship costs. The coalition clarified that the lawmaker’s statement about legislators spending up to ₦3 million on consultants for draft bills was misinterpreted as suggesting mandatory payments within the National Assembly.
“Hon. Auyo simply described a common practice where lawmakers voluntarily engage professional consultants to develop comprehensive legislative proposals,” the coalition explained, emphasizing that these expenses are neither bribes nor required fees.
The group accused political opponents in Jigawa State of deliberately distorting Hon. Auyo’s words and providing SERAP with misleading information. They highlighted the lawmaker’s track record in youth empowerment, education, and infrastructure development across his constituency.
“The planned lawsuit is not only unfair but also disrespects the collective wisdom of our constituents who elected Hon. Auyo,” stated HAKCOD. The coalition emphasized that voluntary consultation fees for bill drafting are standard practice in many parliaments worldwide, where lawmakers seek expert input to strengthen their legislative proposals.
HAKCOD urged SERAP to verify facts thoroughly before pursuing legal action that could potentially damage reputations or undermine public trust in democratic institutions. They called on the National Assembly leadership and the public to dismiss what they described as “sensationalized claims.”
The statement concluded with a warning to civil society organizations about maintaining objectivity in their advocacy work and avoiding politically motivated actions that could diminish public confidence in democratic accountability initiatives.
“We stand firmly by our representative. Any attempt to malign him is an attack on the will and dignity of our people,” the coalition affirmed in their closing remarks.
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