By Erewunmi Peace

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has described constituency projects championed by lawmakers in Nigeria as “daylight unarmed robbery,” accusing the National Assembly of distorting the budget process for selfish gains.

Speaking in his newly released book Nigeria Past and Future: Contemplations on Nigeria’s History and Vision For Tomorrow, Obasanjo condemned the practice where lawmakers insert constituency projects into the budget without consultation with the executive.

According to him, such projects represent a clear case of corruption that undermines good governance and development.

“In Nigeria today, there is impunity and utter disregard for constitutionality. It is the legislature that introduces constituency projects unilaterally, without discussion with the executive. It is nothing but daylight unarmed robbery and the legislature must be treated as criminals,” he wrote.

Obasanjo stressed that the problem has worsened compared to when he was president, alleging that the process is now more brazen, with little or no accountability.

He further argued that constituency projects have become a tool for siphoning public funds rather than serving citizens.

The comments have since stirred fresh debate over the relevance and transparency of constituency projects in Nigeria’s democracy, with some civil society groups echoing Obasanjo’s concerns.