N160m SUV for lawmakers sparks protests in Abuja and Lagos

Yesterday, some youths in Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja protested the government’s decision to provide National Assembly members with SUVs.
A large group of young people gathered in the Ikeja neighbourhood of Lagos and screamed, “Fund education not SUVs,” “Pay living wage not SUVs,” “Return the SUVs Now,” and “Fund hospitals, not SUVs,” according to The PUNCH.
Protesters yelled, “Lawmakers buying SUVs with public funds is insensitive when the majority are suffering.”

Juwon Sanyaolu, a member of the protest group, told our correspondent that “workers are still battling for a living wage as the N33,000 minimum wage is not sustainable,” despite the fact that members of the National Assembly of the People of the Federation (NASF) are reportedly taking receipt of exotic vehicles costing almost N160 billion. The high cost of attending university is a major factor in students dropping out. It’s a callous remark. They ought to give back the SUVs and put money into schools.

And he continued, “They’re the ones getting hardship allowance. What sort of trouble are they in? Why are they putting in so much effort?

Some young people in Abuja also convened at the Unity Fountain to voice their disapproval.

“The time has come for the people of Nigeria to demand their rights and speak out against the government.

“Fuel is now N650 per litre but senators are buying SUVs worth N160m while people are suffering,” said Emmanuel Larry, a protester in Abuja.

It was previously reported that members of the Green Chamber had begun receiving their sport utility vehicles.

Similarly, the first SUVs for members of the Red Chamber would be delivered this week.

It was also learned that the last of the SUVs for legislators’ usage will be delivered before the end of the year.

A decision to buy foreign SUVs for each lawmaker and bulletproof vehicles for the key officials was reportedly made by the leadership of the National Assembly.

The proposal has been met with backlash from Nigerians, and one group, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, has filed injunction motions with a Federal High Court in Lagos to prevent the MPs from receiving the SUVs.