Members of the Labour Party in the National Assembly have disregarded the advice of their National Chairman, Julius Abure, who discouraged them from participating in the acquisition of luxurious official vehicles planned for legislators.
Abure had expressed his disapproval of the National Assembly’s intent to purchase Sport Utility Vehicles worth N160 million for each lawmaker, deeming it insensitive and inappropriate given the country’s economic challenges.
He urged Labour Party lawmakers not to partake in such extravagant spending.
However, when questioned on Thursday about their stance on Abure’s recommendation, Ngozi Okolie, the representative for Delta Aniocha North and South, justified the necessity of the SUVs for their legislative duties, particularly regarding oversight functions.
He argued that while Abure criticized the economic situation, having an official vehicle for federal lawmakers was not extravagant but essential.
Okolie pointed out disparities between federal and state-level benefits for politicians and raised questions about whether Abure had provided any alternative means for them to perform their duties.
He also noted that it was more cost-effective to purchase these vehicles than to rent them whenever needed for oversight activities.
Additionally, Stainless Nwodo, representing Igbo Etiti and Uzo-Uwani constituencies in Enugu State, praised President Bola Tinubu for approving the vehicles, emphasizing that National Assembly members welcomed the SUVs as tools to benefit their constituencies.
He refuted the economic hardship argument, clarifying that the vehicles were for each constituency, not for personal use by lawmakers, and were essential for navigating poor roads while serving constituents.
Neda Imasuen, the lawmaker from Edo South Senatorial District, adopted a wait-and-see approach, indicating that he would make a decision once the vehicles arrived, emphasizing that the Labour Party’s representation was relatively small in the National Assembly, and the choices made by its members might not significantly impact the overall situation.
