A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. (Barr.) Benedict Oghenevwairhe Etanabene, has expressed deep frustration over the non-payment of constituency project funds and what he described as the growing neglect of lawmakers by the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
Etanabene, who represents the Sapele Federal Constituency of Delta State under the Labour Party (LP), made the remarks in an open letter addressed to his colleagues in the 10th National Assembly titled “2024, 2025, and the Coming 2026 Budget Implementation and Implication.”
In the strongly worded letter, the lawmaker lamented what he called the “hardship” faced by legislators across party lines due to lack of funds for constituency projects and welfare, insisting that even senior House leaders were struggling.
“My dear colleagues, we are all in the same boat. Even the leadership members in the House are not enjoying either. Many of them are not looking as robust as they used to be at the beginning of the 10th Assembly,” he wrote.
Etanabene alleged that the executive arm had failed to release payments for completed projects under the 2024 budget, accusing the government of selectively funding projects of personal interest while ignoring appropriations made by the legislature.
“Till the end of 2025, no payment has been made. I haven’t received one dime since I completed these jobs in December 2024,” he revealed. “How can I be a philanthropist to the government? I cannot be one borrowing and donating funds to the government.”
The lawmaker further warned that if the matter remained unresolved, he would stage a dramatic protest during the presentation of the 2026 budget by President Tinubu.
“The day Mr President comes to present the 2026 budget in this chamber, I will jump on my desk and strip to my pants in embarrassment to all concerned,” Etanabene declared, adding that his planned action would be a symbolic demonstration of frustration.
The 61-year-old legislator stressed that his outcry was not politically motivated, urging members across party lines—including APC, PDP, LP, SDP, ADC, and YPP—to unite in confronting what he called a “shared hardship.”
“The issue here is not about political party. The APC, PDP, LP, SDP, ADC, and YPP are all in the House suffering the same poor position. Why can’t we come together to address this unsavoury situation?” he asked.
Etanabene maintained that his position was aimed at defending the integrity of the legislature and drawing attention to what he sees as the executive’s disregard for due process in budget implementation.
“There’s no coup intended in any form,” he said. “But now is the time, my dear colleagues — now or never.”