CD Slams Senators, Reps over N110bn Palliatives, SUV Largesse

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

The Campaign for Democracy (CD), has described as unacceptable, the allocation of N70 billion as palliatives to the 469 members of the National Assembly to cushion the effects of the subsidy removal.

The civil society group also asked Nigerians to rise up against the N40 billion set aside for the purchase of Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) and bulletproof cars for principal officials and members of the federal parliament.

The CD in a statement in Abuja, by its National President, Ifeanyi Odili, berated politicians in and outside the shores of Nigeria to take their stand and be counted on the side of the people or face eternal condemnation from God and men.

Part of the statement read, “We are aware of the position of Nigeria in ECOWAS, we support our President, but we register our objection to any government policy that may bring hardship to the people.

“CD is not, and will not be in support of coup de’tat anywhere in Africa. The bottom line is that we need good democratic governance as it is the only panacea to mass revolt in Africa.

“The recent proposal by NASS members to award for themselves, N110 billion as palliative fund is acute irresponsibility and insensitivity on their part to the plight of their constituents who put their trust in them.

“The NASS members are not better citizens than any other person in Nigeria, hence the attempt to squander such humongous amount of money on frivolities stands by condemned by God and men.

“We are aware that states’ allocation from the federation Account has been improved upon, but it does not reflect on the welfare of the people. This is pathetic.

“We are conversant with the anti-coup d’etat unit being proposed by the Economic Community of West African States, under the leadership of the Nigerian President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“We assert that, it can only be applicable if it is not precipitated of oppression of the people, looting of national treasuries, constitution manipulation, brutal and excessive use of power, extreme and destructive corruption.

“Our position is that all citizens must  be treated with equity and fairness irrespective of positions.

“Furthermore, the National Executive Committee of the Campaign for Democracy has resolved to monitor the lawmakers in Nigeria, the both at federal and state level to represent their constituency fairly well.”

Odili also advised state governments to utilise the federal allocation allotted them judiciously to better the lots of their people.

He said failure to do so would force the CD to mobilise mass actions against ill treatment of Nigerian masses with a view to defending their basis of existence.