“We Are Operating Like a Banana Republic” — Curtis Odunayo
“How Can Abu Giri, a Former Speaker, Ignore Legislative Process?” — PDP Chieftain #DanIsah
A political firestorm is engulfing the Gwagwalada Area Council as explosive allegations, backed by an inside source close to the legislature, reveal that the council is currently operating without an approved budget — a situation two prominent voices have condemned as unconstitutional, reckless, and reminiscent of a “Banana Republic.”
THE SPEAKER’S AIDE SPEAKS FIRST
The Office of the Speaker of the Gwagwalada Area Council broke its silence in a blistering statement signed by Curtis A. Odunayo, Media Aide to the Speaker, declaring that no budget has been transmitted to the legislature for approval.
“It is unlawful for Gwagwalada Area Council to be operating without an approved budget,” Odunayo thundered in a statement that has since sent shockwaves through the council’s political circles.
The controversy deepens with the revelation that outgoing Chairman Hon. Abu Giri alongside his EXCO members, council staff, and even the legislative arm itself had traveled to Kaduna for what was touted as a serious budget retreat.
“And yet, up till now, the legislature is reportedly yet to receive the budget for approval,” Odunayo wrote, his words dripping with disbelief and outrage.
“The government continues to operate as though due legislative process does not matter like a Banana Republic.”
INSIDE SOURCE DROPS BOMBSHELL
According to an inside source within the Gwagwalada Area Council’s administrative hierarchy who spoke on condition of anonymity:
“The chairman and his team went to Kaduna, printed retreat brochures, took pictures, and returned. But up to this moment, no budget document has been formally transmitted to the Speaker’s office. Money is being spent daily without legislative approval. It’s a clear violation of the law.”
The source added that even some EXCO members have expressed private frustration but are too afraid to speak publicly.
PDP CHIEFTAIN LANDS HEAVIEST BLOW
But the heaviest blow came from a second voice, PDP Chieftain Muhammed Isah Hassan who questioned the credibility of a man who once sat in the Speaker’s chair himself.
“How can Abu Giri, who was once a speaker in Gwagwalada Area Council and claimed to understand legislative process and functions, be running government activities without presenting a budget to the lawmakers for consideration and approval?” PDP Chieftain Hassan queried, his words cutting like a machete.
The accusation strikes at the heart of the matter: If Giri understands the legislative process as he claims, why is he now treating the very institution he once led with such contempt?
Both Odunayo and PDP Chieftain #DanIsah are united in their constitutional warning: No executive at any level has the power to spend government funds without the legislative arm passing and approving the budget for the fiscal year.
“It is unconstitutional,” they declared in near-unison.
SPEAKER’S OFFICE CONFIRMS
As of the time of this publication, the Speaker of the Legislative Arm of Gwagwalada Area Council, RT Mohammed G. Ibrahim, and the rest of the legislators have reportedly not received any budget document for approval.
“Gwagwalada Area Council kénan — an Area Council operating differently from others, operating without an approved budget,” Odunayo wrote, the local pidgin adding sting to his rebuke.
“Still oooo,” PDP Chieftain #DanIsah echoed sarcastically, “the government continues to operate as though due legislative process does not matter.”
THE BOTTOM LINE
The message from both men backed by an inside source is clear and damning: Abu Giri cannot hide behind a Kaduna retreat brochure. The people of Gwagwalada deserve better than a chairman who ignores the law he once swore to uphold and a council that functions like a lawless enclave while democracy bleeds.
The question now hangs in the hot Harmattan air: Will the budget be presented before Giri exits the stage? Or will this Banana Republic reputation stick to Gwagwalada like shame that refuses to wash off?