The Hadejia/Auyo/Kafin-Hausa Coalition for Development (HAKCOD) in Jigawa State has criticized the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) for initiating legal action against the leadership of the National Assembly, describing the move as baseless and unfair to Hon. Usman Kamfani Auyo, member representing Hadejia/Auyo/Kafin-Hausa Federal Constituency.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Comrade Abubakar Maje Ahmed, and made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Dutse, Jigawa State, HAKCOD expressed concern over what it called “recurring misinterpretations” of comments allegedly made by Hon. Auyo and faulted SERAP for acting on such distortions.
According to the group, the controversy originated in August 2025, when some political opponents allegedly misrepresented remarks made by Hon. Auyo during a media interaction, falsely claiming that he said lawmakers were required to make payments before sponsoring a bill in the National Assembly.
“Hon. Usman never made such a claim and has since clarified his statement,” Comrade Abubakar stated.
“He only explained that some legislators voluntarily spend up to N3 million on consultants to help draft bills or motions, not as bribes or prerequisites for legislative consideration.”
HAKCOD described reports suggesting that lawmakers pay between N1 million and N3 million to present motions or bills as “deliberate political blackmail” aimed at damaging the lawmaker’s reputation and misleading the public.
The coalition argued that SERAP’s decision to pursue legal action based on such misrepresentations amounted to “an injustice” to the people of Hadejia, Auyo, and Kafin-Hausa, a constituency known for its strong political, economic, and social contributions to national development.
HAKCOD therefore called on SERAP and other concerned parties to reconsider their position and approach the issue with fairness, responsibility, and objectivity in the interest of peace, justice, and political stability.
