Senator Victor Umeh of Anambra Central has defended the provision of official vehicles for lawmakers, insisting that senators cannot be expected to “trek to work” in the name of sacrifice.
Speaking on AIT’s Political Platform, the lawmaker pushed back against growing criticism over benefits enjoyed by members of the National Assembly, arguing that official vehicles are necessary tools for legislative duties.
He said, “Why won’t I get a vehicle for performing official function? Are you not seeing people in the executive arm of government having fleet of vehicles?’”
Umeh maintained that lawmakers are often unfairly singled out whenever issues of government spending arise, stressing that each senator is entitled to only one official vehicle.
“If the only way Nigeria can be good is for senators to be trekking to work, well, I don’t think we’re being serious,” he said.
The senator also reacted to the recent court judgment secured by SERAP against the proposed procurement of vehicles and allowances for lawmakers, saying it is up to the organisation to enforce the ruling.
“SERAP should go and execute the judgment…”
He further dismissed widespread allegations of “jumbo pay” in the National Assembly, insisting that the finances of the legislature are subject to auditing and public scrutiny through relevant government agencies.
The controversy follows a Federal High Court ruling in Lagos which nullified the planned N40 billion vehicle procurement for lawmakers and N70 billion in allowances, describing the expenditures as unlawful and contrary to public trust and procurement regulations.
