In a wave of public reactions to the federal government’s allocation of ₦5 billion for the renovation of vice president’s official residence in Lagos State, many Nigerians are voicing frustration over the contrasting messages from their leaders.
Despite calls from officials urging citizens to brace themselves for economic hardship, reports of substantial government spending on luxury projects have sparked widespread discontent.
According to sources, in the N2.17 trillion supplementary budget passed in November 2023, the Federal Government allocated N3 billion for the renovation of the Vice President’s official residence in Lagos State and another N2.5 billion for the renovation of his official residence within the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja.
However, GovSpend—a civic tech platform that monitors and analyzes Federal Government expenditures—revealed that a total of N5,034,077,063 was actually spent in May and September this year on the renovation of the Vice President’s Lagos residence.
The renovation is intended to provide necessary upgrades to the Vice President’s official residence, but critics argue that this expense appears extravagant given the country’s current economic challenges.
Nigeria has been grappling with inflation, rising living costs, and currency devaluation, prompting calls from leaders for citizens to show resilience. However, such spending decisions have fueled a perception of insensitivity among the political class.
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Reacting to this, one netizen who tweeted as @kpapkando captured the growing sentiment, commenting, “5 whole Billions of Naira. Tell me why we won’t keep seeing crìminals aiming for political offices.
“This government would advise Nigerians to adjust for hardship but keep on spending and enjoying the profit of the nation in opportunities created by them, ” he added.
A Nigerian who identified as @balatic wrote, “N21b in Abuja. N5b in Lagos. N26b on VP residences alone. Just the VP.
Adding in pidgin English he continued, “Na the people wey dey complain say @KemiBadenoch snub them be this. Dregs of the society.”
Reacting, @Afolabiolamide8 wrote, “The federal government always comes up with something that is not in any way beneficial to the citizens. This is another part of it.”
“The elite political class enjoys, while they tell the poor man to endure the pain, insisting that things will get better, ” reacted @sadiq90.
“And some pastors will ask the citizens to endure hardship, e no go beta for una,” said at gani-Jonathan.
“So sad. This is the country we are in,” another netizen who tweeted as @Rukkssss wrote. Pointing out the extreme hunger in Nigeria, he added, “People are suffering with hung. Everything is no longer affordable for the poor, but still, the federal government has two villas renovated for N5 billion.”
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