Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has berated the House of Representatives over its defence put up to buy new exotic vehicles for its members.
Recall that the Green Chamber had concluded plans to purchase brand new official vehicles for members amidst the hardship going on in the country, which has generated a lot of backlash.
But in a statement on Sunday, the Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Akin Rotimi, said the media reports on the acquisition of the vehicles are being exaggerated.
The lawmaker clarified that the vehicles distributed to members are not for personal use but utility operational vehicles tied to their oversight functions.
He said the vehicles attached to the lawmakers are expected to be returned after their tenure; however, members may be allowed to pay for the outstanding value of the vehicles and claim ownership after their tenure in the National Assembly.
Reacting in a post on her X handle on Tuesday, Ezekwesili described the statement released by the spokesman of the House as extremely ludicrous and duplicitous.
She said the Green Chamber had the audacity to spend scarce public resources on luxury cars at a time majority of the citizens cannot feed, transport themselves, or pay school fees and hospital bills due to the cost of living crisis.
Ezekwesili described members of the National Assembly as the biggest threat to the country’s democracy for planning to buy new exotic vehicles for themselves at this time of severe economic distress for the citizens and the country.
She wrote: “So that vexing news turned out to be accurate.
“I read the extremely ludicrous and duplicitous statement released by the Spokesman of the @HouseNGR on their insensitive purchase of 360 Toyota SUVs for themselves.
“You all had the audacity to spend scarce public resources on luxury cars at a time majority of your citizens cannot feed, transport themselves, pay school fees and hospital bills due to the cost of living crisis?
“At this stage, it is evident you want to continue with your serial bad behaviour.
“Since not even 1 of you fellows @nassnigeria @HouseNGR @NGRSenate saw the heartlessness of that decision to buy 360 new Toyota SUVs for yourselves at this time of severe economic distress of the citizens and country, please know that you all are the biggest threat to our Democracy.
“Just know that a day cometh and very soon too, when it will be your fed-up Nigerian Citizens and not the Military that will rise up and collectively chase all of you grossly irresponsible and insensitive people out of office. And very soon too.”
In another post, she wrote: “Crass behaviour all year round from an irresponsible political class.
Just because most of you rigged yourselves into public office @nassnigeria, you feel entitled to an indulgent life funded by the miserable public treasury of a country you badly govern, with the majority of poor people barely eking out a living.
“There’s a sell-by-date for this recurring rascality, and make no mistakes, you all will bring that date forward with your shenanigans.
“Incorrigible bunch of LawBreakers.”