Amid Nigeria’s severe economic crisis, National Assembly leaders, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajudeen Abass, are reportedly utilizing luxurious convoys worth billions. Despite laws regulating vehicle purchases for lawmakers, these officials exceed financial limits, prompting legal actions from groups like SERAP. Critics argue that this extravagant behavior is out of touch with the struggles of everyday Nigerians facing inflation and rising food costs.
In Nigeria, as the nation faces a significant economic crisis—with inflation exceeding 28% and food prices surging—presiding officers of the National Assembly indulge in extravagant spending, particularly through the utilization of luxury car fleets costing billions of naira. The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and House Speaker, Tajudeen Abass, alongside their deputies, are reported to boast convoys that include high-end vehicles at taxpayers’ expense, showcasing a stark contrast to the struggles faced by many Nigerians.
Daily observations reveal that the convoys utilized by these officials are notably lavish. Mr. Akpabio commands a convoy comprising 11 vehicles, including two bulletproof Mercedes-Benz S-Class models, five Toyota Land Cruiser Prados, and more, with some vehicles valued at over ₦100 million each. His deputies equally manage fleets of nine vehicles featuring similar luxury, including police power bikes. The overall cost of these extravagant official transportation methods is estimated to exceed ₦7 billion.
Despite regulations set by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), the practices of the National Assembly infringe upon prescribed financial limits regarding vehicle acquisitions. The RMAFC stipulates that lawmakers may receive optional car loans not exceeding 400% of their basic salary, which starkly contrasts with the billions spent on lavish vehicle purchases, illustrating a blatant disregard for the stipulated financial governance.
Historical trends reveal that this over-expenditure is not new; previous lawmakers have similarly exceeded financial limits on vehicle procurements. As the current National Assembly acquires exceptionally priced vehicles, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and concerned citizens have initiated legal actions to halt such expenditures deemed inappropriate and detrimental to public welfare.
While President Bola Tinubu advocates for fiscal restraint amid economic reforms, the extravagances of high-ranking officials remain unchallenged within the legislature. In a recent directive to ministers and heads of agencies, President Tinubu recommended reducing their convoys to three vehicles, acknowledging the fiscal burden posed by large motorcades. However, it appears that this directive does not extend to the National Assembly, which operates independently.
Critics argue that the behaviour exhibited by lawmakers is disconnected from the realities of ordinary citizens facing economic hardship. Mboho Eno, of the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), criticized the lavish lifestyles of the political elite as detrimental, noting that politicians’ actions convey indifference toward the struggles of Nigerians.
In response to inquiries regarding their lavish transportation, representatives of both Akpabio and Abass have pushed back against the claims, asserting that Akpabio operates with a single vehicle, while the rest belong to accompanying senators. However, contradictions in their statements and observations indicate otherwise, thereby raising concerns about accountability and transparency regarding government spending.
In summary, the use of extravagant convoys by Nigerian lawmakers, juxtaposed against the increasing economic hardships faced by citizens, underscores a significant disconnect between the leaders and the populace. While official guidelines exist to limit excessive spending on vehicles, the leadership of the National Assembly appears to operate outside these constraints, prompting calls for accountability from civil society groups. The ongoing advocacy for financial transparency highlights the necessity for lawmakers to align their actions with the economic realities affecting ordinary Nigerians.
Original Source: www.premiumtimesng.com
