N160m SUVs: Abure charges LP senators, Reps to oppose FG’s ‘wasteful spending’

<p>The Labour Party, LP, has urged its lawmakers in the 10th National Assembly to kick against what it described as the Federal Government’s unnecessary wasteful spending.</p>, <p>National Chairman of LP, Julius Abure, made the call while accusing the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government of displaying a high level of insensitivity.</p>, <p>Abure was reacting to reports that 360 members of the National Assembly would be gifted cars worth N160 million each.</p>, <p>He wondered why the Federal Government would not boost the economy by patronizing local automobile manufacturing companies.</p>, <p>In a statement he signed, Abure berated the Federal Government for opting for opulence while a large number of Nigerians are ravaged by poverty.</p>, <p>Abure said: “A few days ago, the news filtered that 360 members of the House of Assembly are to be gifted with vehicles worth about N160 million each. The Labour Party is indeed shocked, saddened and disappointed at the level of insensitivity being displayed by the executive and the legislative arms of the President Bola Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress administration.</p>, <p>“It is saddening that with deepening poverty among Nigerians the administration has decided to increase its appetite for a life of opulence to mock hardworking but underprivileged Nigerians.</p>, <p>“How else can any Government justify the bloated Federal Executive Council of 48 cabinet ministers, with each of them given three luxurious four-wheel drive vehicles on the first day in office, paid for and fueled by taxpayers? This is notwithstanding hundreds of presidential and ministerial aides, as well as numerous aides to the aides which are being funded by the government.</p>, <p>“These vehicles will be costing Nigerians about N57.6 billion and this is happening at a time when the government claims it cannot afford to increase the minimum wage of N30,000 monthly to workers.</p>, <p>“A bag of 50 kg rice is today N50,000 and most families can’t afford two square meals a day; how insensitive