By Milcah Tanimu
Senator Neda Imasuen, a member of the Labour Party (LP) in the Senate, has defended LP lawmakers against criticism for not rejecting the National Assembly’s plan to purchase Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) reportedly valued at N160 million for each lawmaker. Imasuen, who also serves as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, explained that LP lawmakers are too few in number to prevent the majority of lawmakers from pursuing the purchase of luxury vehicles.
The decision by National Assembly members to buy SUVs, amidst the economic challenges facing the country, has sparked public outrage. The National Chairman of the LP, Julius Abure, called on LP-affiliated National Assembly members not to participate in what he described as extravagant and insensitive spending, which does not align with the party’s pro-people ideology.
In a conversation with journalists in Benin, Senator Imasuen, who represents Edo Central in the Senate, pointed out that LP lawmakers in the Senate number only eight out of 109 senators and, therefore, cannot influence the majority to reconsider the plan to acquire luxury vehicles.
“We can only express our stance in the parliament on what we believe is the right thing to do; we are just eight senators out of 109. So, singling out Labour Party senators for criticism is unfair,” Imasuen stated.
He went on to clarify that the LP is not the originator of this practice and that similar purchases have occurred every four years. Senators are offered the right of first refusal for the vehicles after their tenure, and if they do not purchase them, the vehicles return to the Senate.
Imasuen also emphasized that the vehicles are intended for the senators’ official duties and that if a vote were held on the matter, the eight Labour Party senators would vote against it. However, the decision ultimately lies with the majority, as he explained, “Even if we reject it, who takes it, and are they going to return it to the manufacturers?”
