I just can't help but feel a sense of unease and disappointment every time I hear about the latest extravagant spending spree by the Tinubu administration. The news that President Bola Ahmad Tinubu has been doling out billions of naira for renovations, SUVs, and other luxuries has left me wondering if he truly understands the gravity of the economic situation in Nigeria.
The Emir of Kano, Mohammed Sanusi, recently called out the president for his lavish spending, and I couldn't agree more. How can a president who claims to have inherited a 'dilapidated' Nigeria from his predecessor justify such reckless spending of public funds? It's like he's trying to prove a point, but the only point he's proving is that he's out of touch with the everyday Nigerian.
Let's break down some of the most egregious examples of this extravagance:
- 21 billion naira to renovate the Vice President's house
- 70 billion naira to buy SUVs for National Assembly members (at a cost of 160 million naira per vehicle)
- 4 billion naira to renovate Dodan Barracks in Lagos
- 3 billion naira to renovate Aguda House
- 5 billion naira for the Presidential Tax Reforms Committee (with no tangible results to show for it)
- 1.5 billion naira to purchase cars for the First Lady (despite the fact that the office of the First Lady is not recognized by our constitution)
- A 300% salary increase for judges (which was hastily approved by the Senate)
- 5 billion naira for the Presidential Fleet of Cars
- 5 billion naira for a Presidential Yacht
- 225 billion naira for a Presidential Jet
- 90 billion naira for the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage
These figures are staggering, and they only serve to highlight the disconnect between the government and the people. Meanwhile, everyday Nigerians are struggling to make ends meet, and our infrastructure is still in shambles.
I'm not sure what's more disturbing - the fact that the president is engaging in such blatant profligacy or the fact that the Senate is enabling him every step of the way. The recent increment in salaries for Senators and House of Representatives members is a slap in the face to the average Nigerian. Every Senator is now paid 21 million naira monthly, while House of Representatives members earn 13.5 million naira monthly. These are the same people who are supposed to be representing our interests, but it seems they're more interested in lining their own pockets.
The awarding of the 15 trillion naira Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road contract to a Lebanese businessman, Gilbert Chagoury, is another example of the cronyism and corruption that plagues our system. This is a project that could have been awarded to a Nigerian company, creating jobs and stimulating economic growth for our people. Instead, it's been given to a foreigner who has no stake in our country's future.
I implore President Tinubu to take a long, hard look at his priorities and remember that he was elected to serve the people, not to indulge in extravagant spending sprees. We need a government that is accountable, transparent, and truly committed to the welfare of its citizens. Anything less is a betrayal of the public trust.
