The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the February 2023 election, Peter Obi, has raised objections to the recent fifteen billion naira allocation for the construction of a residence for the Vice-President in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The allocation was revealed by the Minister of the FCT, Nysom Wike, who stated that the funds were meant for a “befitting residence” for Vice-President Kashim Shettima.
Taking through his X (formerly Twitter) handle, Obi expressed his discontent with the allocation, deeming it “shocking and disheartening” given the pressing challenges facing the nation.
“Just recently in the Supplementary Budget, the sum of N2.5 billion was included for the renovation of the Vice President’s residence in Abuja, which means that he already has a residence.
He pointed out that recent budgetary allocations had already been made for the renovation of the Vice President’s residences in both Abuja and Lagos, saying “Again, during the budget presentation, I heard the sum of N3 billion was allocated for the renovation of the Vice President’s residence in Lagos.”
The former Anambra Governor, according to the Punch, went on to highlight the stark realities facing Nigeria, including a high poverty rate, collapsed health facilities, and a surging unemployment rate.
“If we total all these sums, we would have budgeted the sum of N20.5 billion for the housing of the Vice President at this critical time when we are not just the world’s poverty capital, but more people are falling into poverty, with so many Nigerians not knowing where their next meal will come from. Our health facilities have collapsed, and unemployment is skyrocketing.”
Join our twitter community :