In the midst of ongoing economic challenges, there is controversy surrounding President Bola Tinubu’s proposal to allocate ₦1.5 billion for the acquisition of vehicles for the Office of the First Lady. This allocation is included in the supplementary budget submitted to the National Assembly for approval.
President Tinubu presented the ₦2.17 trillion supplementary budget to the National Assembly on Tuesday, which was previously approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) during its meeting on Monday.
President Tinubu and his administration have consistently appealed to Nigerians to remain patient during these trying times, despite a noticeable strain on the citizens’ financial well-being.
A closer examination of the supplementary budget reveals what some consider extravagant expenditures, at a time when Nigerians are being asked to tighten their belts. Notably, the removal of the petroleum subsidy regime during President Tinubu’s inauguration on May 29th has resulted in a significant increase in the price of petrol at retail outlets, surpassing a 400 percent surge.
Furthermore, it’s worth noting that President Tinubu’s decision to allocate ₦1.5 billion for vehicles for the Office of the First Lady raises questions, as this office is not officially recognized by the country’s constitution.
Apart from the allocation for the First Lady’s office, the government plans to spend ₦2.9 billion on Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) for the Presidential Villa and an additional ₦2.9 billion to replace operational vehicles for the presidency. The government is also proposing ₦4 billion for the renovation of the president’s residential quarters and ₦2.5 billion for the vice president’s residence, amounting to a total of N28 billion allocated for the State House.
Another significant allocation in the supplementary budget is ₦12.5 billion for the Presidential Air Fleet. This fleet comprises several aircraft, including a Boeing Business Jet, Gulfstream jets, Falcons, Hawker Sidley, and AgustaWestland helicopters. Notably, some weeks ago, Seyi Tinubu, the president’s son, faced criticism for using one of the presidential jets for private purposes, such as attending the Kano International Polo Tournament in Kano.
The allocation of billions for these expenditures is met with public concern, especially when many Nigerians are grappling with a sharp rise in the cost of living. Notably, lawmakers themselves had allocated over ₦75 billion for the procurement of luxurious “official vehicles” despite public outcry.
The supplementary budget has already passed its second reading at the House of Representatives, indicating that it may receive approval without significant resistance from lawmakers.
