A civic accountability organisation, the Monitoring and Investigative Team of Nigeria (MonITNG), has raised serious concerns over what it describes as the misuse of Zonal Intervention Funds by a federal lawmaker representing Alkaleri and Kirfi Federal Constituency in Bauchi State.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the group accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker, Makaman Duguri, of converting government-funded grassroots projects into personal political empowerment schemes.

MonITNG warned that “public resources meant for critical community development” were being repurposed to build political loyalty rather than deliver essential infrastructure and services to citizens.

According to the organisation:

“Recent events in Alkaleri and Kirfi Federal Constituency, represented by Makaman Duguri of the APC, highlight a disturbing pattern where public resources meant for critical grassroots projects are being converted into political empowerment tools.”

The group emphasised that Zonal Intervention Projects—popularly known as constituency projects—are entirely funded by the Nigerian government and must be implemented strictly through relevant ministries, departments, and agencies using accredited contractors. A lawmaker’s role, it noted, is oversight, not direct execution or distribution.

However, MonITNG said Duguri’s actions represent “a complete deviation from that mandate.”

N200 Million Cash, Cars, and Motorcycles Distributed

The organisation cited the lawmaker’s recent “Mega Empowerment” event, during which he distributed:

• 20 cars
• 150 motorcycles
• N200 million in cash
• Sewing machines
• Bicycles for persons with disabilities
• Water pumps
• Other items, all branded with his image and APC party symbols

MonITNG argued that the scale of the items and their overt political branding raise “serious questions about transparency and accountability,” especially when the items were reportedly funded with public money.

One of the group’s strongest concerns is the distribution of large cash handouts.

“It also raises suspicion about whether the intended amounts actually reach the beneficiaries, or whether the process is manipulated to reward party loyalists rather than ordinary citizens,” the statement said.

Communities Still Lacking Basic Services

Despite the high-profile empowerment programme, the group lamented that many communities in the constituency remain severely underserved.

“Meanwhile, many communities within the constituency continue to face serious challenges: dilapidated schools without functional classrooms, health centres lacking equipment and personnel, and areas where residents still struggle to access clean water,” it noted.

“Instead of addressing these urgent needs, Zonal Intervention Funds are being repackaged as personal gifts and political empowerment tools.”

Call for EFCC and ICPC Investigation

MonITNG has now called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to thoroughly investigate Duguri’s handling of the funds.

The group urged the agencies to scrutinise:

• The procurement and contracting process
• The source and disbursement of the N200 million cash
• The criteria used to select beneficiaries
• The legality of branding publicly funded items with a politician’s image

MonITNG warned:

“Public funds must not become instruments of political influence. Citizens deserve transparent, community-driven development—not patronage disguised as empowerment.”