The Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), yesterday, expressed their disgust for the distribution of 108 exotic cars by the Senate leadership to its members as another demonstration of highest insensitivity to the plights of Nigerians by their so called leaders.
The group, made up of over 400 grassroots organizations, said the Legislature went ahead to demonstrate their impunity, in spite of warning by the people that this is not the right time to embark on such wastage. A statement signed by the Chairman of TMG, Com. Ibrahim Zikirullahi, in Abuja, expressed surprise at “another demonstration of insensitivity by the Senate, which has gone ahead to distribute 108 exotic cars to members, in spite of the groundswell of voices against such a wasteful move.
Even after the Nigerian people warned that the decision to embark on such hedonistic acquisition in these lean times, would not be tolerated, the Senate has again dared the resolve of the people. “The gluttonous manner in which less than 500 individuals are cornering the resources of a country where poverty and many other forms of privations are the order of the day, calls for concerted efforts among citizen groups, to reject the reign of these thieves garbed in legislative robes.
“TMG is incensed that at a time Nigerians in many states are grappling with the difficulties of living life without salaries, and the dire economic conditions biting so hard, it is provocative for Senators to be living in criminal opulence. “Ironically, this is the same Senate led by a character currently standing trial over weighty allegations of false and anticipatory declaration of assets. “It is the same institution that has been hijacked by shady figures, including their leader who has also been mentioned as one of those hiding suspicious assets in offshore tax haven, as revealed in the leaked Panama Papers. In defiance to extant procurement laws and the Fiscal Responsibility Act, the Senators have gone ahead to acquire the cars at prices that are twice the actual market value. It is barefaced stealing from the Nigerian people for the Senate to have paid N35.1 million for each of the Toyota Landcruiser purchased, while independent checks confirmed that the Toyota Land Cruiser SUV V6 2016 model is sold at N17 million.
“To show that the greed of these characters is limitless, TMG recalls that in February, the Senate President’s cars were changed in a move that cost taxpayers the sum of N330 million. The architects of these wasteful expenditures on fancy items in a time of hardship, are the enemies of the Nigerian people. Those who arranged and benefited from this rude plunder of scarce resources must be investigated and brought to book.
“Nigeria can no longer afford to shoulder the burden of funding the wasteful and opulent lifestyles of a few hundred legislators, many of who suffer from severe reputation deficit. It is indeed worrisome that the gluttons in the National Assembly cannot spare a thought for the millions of unemployed young Nigerians in the country, and make some sacrifices to free some resources, for this excluded and vulnerable segment of the population.
“In the face of this unconscionable affront, the silence of many legislators, who should ordinarily be condemning this impunity is deafening. Suddenly, we are not hearing any partisan bickering in the Senate over this latest ungodly attempt to share the national patrimony. “With the logic that exceptional times require exceptional measures, TMG calls on President Muhammadu Buhari to take all necessary measures to stop the corrupt and insensitive purchase and distribution of these vehicles by the Senators.
“Provocative steps like this insensitive purchase and distribution of exotic cars in the face of the current economic struggles remind us of the urgent need to vanquish all forms of corruption and greed from the system. This is why the vendors involved in these shady supplies should be investigated because they are also aiding and abetting the corrupt and wasteful spending by the legislators. “TMG again calls on the Nigerian people to brace up for the coming struggle to confront legislative greed, impunity and corruption.”
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Abeg make we leave them alone, na their divine right. Their dividends of democracy. What do you expect from them when we as Nigerians have chosen to dance naked in the market Square. When some political thieves were brought to account for their misdeeds we all shouted witch-hunt because they are our kinsmen. We were happy to stand behind a thief who dipped his filty fingers into our Commonwealth because he is from my town. We were ready to shield a common criminal because such person is my brother or sister. As long as they know that there are people such as those who have sold there conscience on the alter of tribalism and nepotism, there will continue to be impunity and there is nothing we can do about it.
ReplyDeleteIf it were true that the prices of these cars were inflated, then I think as Nigerians we have a right to petition EFCC with the proofs to as the suppliers of the cars. That should be a good place to begin.
Did the common sense senator Ben Bruce collect his own share? What do you expect? He has closed his mouth for sometime now. May be he has been told that he may not achieve anything in his common sense sensitization. Who said they are our leaders? They are group of opportunists that want to feather their next. Only God are we hoping on but we are still here.
ReplyDeleteDivide the country to a confederation where people would feel a sense of loyalty and patriotism. Nigeria should not have been one country and we are unwilling to admit it and see how we can work together.
ReplyDeleteThese dishonorable greedy and devils are challenging the power of the people. They would never take their selfishness seriously since they have succeeded in impoverished many of us.
ReplyDeleteBut keeping mum in this type of situation means we are powerless in front the robbers in Abuja. They are shamelessly following the king looter to the CCT to show their insensitive to the plight of our economy.
Can any of them tell the Nigerians what is their achievements since they moved from the towns and villages to Abuja?
Also, the EFCC should check the price of the Toyota Land Cruiser SUV V6 2016 model which according to the article is sold at N17 million but the shameless looters are claiming N35.1 million for each. If the investigations prove them wrong, not only the Senators should be sanctioned, the suppliers also must be made to pay for encouraging corruption.