HAKCOD Condemns SERAP’s Legal Action Against National Assembly Leadership
The Hadejia/Auyo/Kafin-Hausa Coalition for Development (HAKCOD) has strongly criticized the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) for initiating a legal action against the leadership of the National Assembly. The coalition described the move as “unjust, misleading, and politically motivated.”
In a statement released from Dutse, the capital of Jigawa State, signed by its chairman Comrade Abubakar Maje Ahmed, the coalition expressed deep concern over what it called SERAP’s “uncritical reliance on false and distorted claims.” These claims were allegedly made against Honourable Usman Kamfani Auyo, the lawmaker representing the Hadejia/Auyo/Kafin-Hausa Federal Constituency in Jigawa State.
According to the statement, the controversy originated from comments made by Honourable Auyo during a media interaction in August 2025. These comments were “deliberately twisted” by political opponents to suggest that the lawmaker admitted to legislators paying between ₦1 million and ₦3 million before sponsoring bills or motions in the National Assembly.
“At no point did Honourable Usman claim that lawmakers pay bribes or any form of inducement before presenting bills,” Abubakar clarified. He explained that the lawmaker merely discussed how some legislators voluntarily spend up to ₦3 million on consultants to help prepare and draft bills or motions. This, he emphasized, is a normal legislative practice and not an act of corruption or compulsion.
The coalition described subsequent media reports and SERAP’s planned legal action as “a case of political mischief taken too far.” It stressed that dragging the National Assembly leadership to court on such grounds amounts to “an injustice not only to Honourable Usman but also to the entire constituency he represents.”
Abubakar further lamented what he termed “a disturbing pattern” of misinformation being used to undermine credible representation and score cheap political points ahead of future elections. He highlighted that the Hadejia, Auyo, and Kafin-Hausa constituencies have a proud history of contributing meaningfully to Nigeria’s political, social, and economic growth. It is, therefore, unfortunate for any group to allow itself to be used to malign their representative on baseless grounds.
HAKCOD urged SERAP to “re-examine its facts” and adopt a more objective approach in its advocacy for accountability and transparency. The coalition reminded the organization that justice must not be sacrificed on the altar of sensationalism.
The group also appealed to the media and civil society organizations to verify claims and ensure balance in their reportage. It warned that unverified allegations against public officials could jeopardize public trust and weaken democratic institutions.
Key Points of Concern
- Misinformation Campaign: The coalition raised concerns about the spread of misinformation aimed at undermining legitimate political representation.
- Legal Action Criticism: HAKCOD condemned SERAP’s legal action as politically motivated and based on false claims.
- Legislative Practices: The coalition emphasized that voluntary spending on consultants for bill drafting is a standard practice and not indicative of corruption.
- Call for Objectivity: HAKCOD urged SERAP and other organizations to prioritize factual accuracy and objectivity in their advocacy efforts.
- Impact on Democracy: The coalition warned that unverified allegations can harm public trust and democratic institutions.
Conclusion
The HAKCOD’s response highlights the importance of factual reporting and the need to avoid sensationalism in political discourse. As the debate continues, the coalition remains committed to defending the integrity of its representative and ensuring that all accusations are thoroughly investigated before any legal actions are taken. The situation underscores the delicate balance between accountability and the potential for misuse of information in the political arena.