Reports that N15 billion was earmarked for the construction of a new mansion for the Vice President have shocked and disheartened Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s (LP) presidential candidate in the most recent general election, given the numerous issues the country faces.
He claims the N2.5 billion and N3 billion in the Supplementary Budget for the Vice President’s Abuja and Lagos residence renovations indicate he already has a place to live.
At a time when more people are sinking into poverty and losing their means of subsistence, Obi was incensed about allocating a total of N20.5 billion for the Vice President’s accommodations.
The former governor of Anambra State said that the nation needs leaders who are compassionate and prepared to make sacrifices for the advancement and development of its citizens in a message posted on his X Twitter on Monday.
“I cannot wait as I am compelled to ask: what is exactly wrong with us as a country?” the writer asked, “even though I am still studying the 2024 fiscal budget as it was presented to the National Assembly last week.”
“I pose this question because, in these dire times, I find it difficult to understand some of the recent events that have occurred in our country. The recent revelation of a N15 billion budgetary allocation for the Vice President’s new mansion is depressing and shocking in light of the several significant issues confronting our country. In the most recent Supplementary Budget, N2.5 billion was allocated for the refurbishment of the Vice President’s Abuja home, indicating that he already own a home.
As previously mentioned, I learned during the budget presentation that N3 billion will be used to renovate the Vice President’s Lagos home. Add up all of these amounts, and we have N20.5 billion set aside for the Vice President’s residence during this crucial period when not only are we the world’s most impoverished country, but more and more Nigerians are living paycheck to paycheck without knowing where they will receive their next meal. Our hospitals have fallen apart, and the rate of unemployment is over the roof.
“I really believe that the present Vice President’s mansion is the only thing that 99.9% of Nigerians can imagine living in. Numerous university employees do not receive their wages. For instance, a professor at a Nigerian university makes roughly N400,000 annually, or almost N5 million when taxes are deducted. The annual pay of around 3000 professors is what we have set aside for the Vice President’s dwelling, who already has an opulent residence! This money is required to create the critical human capital.
“The N5 billion allocated for student loans—which have not yet been disbursed—represents a very small portion of the expenses associated with the Vice President’s new residence. We are informed there is nothing wrong with us even if we plan to utilise four times the funding for the education of ALL impoverished Nigerian students to house the Vice President. I’m positive that this year’s budget did not allocate as much capital to the big teaching hospitals in Zaria, Ibadan, Lagos, Nsukka, or Ibadan. In the past, we have had leaders that were outstanding.
“It may not be widely known by Nigerians that the well-known 1004 flats in Lagos were plotted for the construction of a Presidential Mansion for General Murtala Mohammed, the country’s head of state at the time.
“With a firm no, he rejected the offer and directed that public worker housing be built on the land. It is admirable to emulate such selfless leadership. Thus, the carelessness and indifference to the suffering of the people must end among our leaders.
“Compassionate and sacrifice-driven leaders are what we need to advance and flourish as a society. Our journey to the New Nigeria depends on having leaders who are both thrifty and caring.
