‘It’s shocking’ — Ogundamisi laments spending on ‘frivolities’ under Tinubu administration

Kayode Ogundamisi, a political commentator, says the amount of money being spent on “frivolities” under the administration of President Bola Tinubu is shocking.

Ogundamisi spoke during an interview with Rudolf Okonkwo on 90MinutesAfrica. 

He said the ordinary Nigerian is passing through the hard times after the removal of petrol subsidy and the floating of naira.

Ogundamisi who is based in the UK added that the presidency opted for N5 billion worth of yacht and renovation of the long-abandoned presidential lodge in Lagos — while citizens are suffering. 

He said President Tinubu is matching his call for austerity with the “waste of public funds”. 

“The amount of money that is been spent on frivolities under this government is shocking and it’s not something that any Nigerian should be proud of,” Ogundamisi said. 

“Remember the issue of the presidential yacht where about five billion naira was expended. There is just so much waste that I hope will be nipped in the bud before the next budget cycle.”

“The level of economic hardship among Nigerians has worsened drastically since May 29, when Bola Ahmed Tinubu took over the helm of governance of the country. 

“This is caused by the twin policies of petrol subsidy removal and floating of the currency, which has resulted in a steep fall in the value of the naira and an erosion of the purchasing power of many Nigerians.

“Inflation has sent the price of basic commodities out of reach of many ordinary Nigerians, thereby deepening the poverty and despair prevalent in the land. 

“However, the government has continued to insist that the hardship faced by Nigerians is necessary for the country to achieve economic prosperity shortly.

“However, as ordinary Nigerians are going through this economic strangulation, political officeholders across the board are upping their obscenities and luxurious spending at the expense of the meagre resources of the nation. 

“I don’t know when last any president used Dodan Barracks in Lagos. And I see no reason why President Tinubu cannot continue to go home to his sprawling mansion in Bourdillion, Ikoyi, just to save Nigeria some money.”

He said before the climate change conference (COP28) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Tinubu gave directives that he would not tolerate any jumbo contingent.

He lamented that “Nigeria ended up with a delegation of over 1,400 people most of whom have no business with climate change and wondered if anyone is listening to the president within the government”. 

“The ticket cost from Lagos to London is two million Naira on the economy class, and you have sixth-level government appointees flying Business Class to Dubai,” he said.

He said with Nigeria’s economic situation, taking a hundred people to Dubai should be considered wasteful.