The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has criticized President Bola Tinubu for proposing N15bn in the 2024 budget for the construction of new residence of the Vice President.
Mr Obi made the criticism in a thread on his X handle on Monday while reacting to the N27 trillion 2024 budget proposal submitted to the National Assembly by the President last week.
The former Anambra governor lamented that the proposed budget contains non-essential things while millions of Nigerians are suffering.
While urging the federal government to avoid reckless spendings and show empathy for the plight of Nigerians, Mr Obi said Nigeria needs leaders who are willing to make sacrifices for it to progress.
“Even as I am still studying the 2024 fiscal budget as presented to the National Assembly last week, I cannot wait as I am compelled to ask what is exactly wrong with us as a country, Mr Obi wrote.
While interrogating further, the former presidential candidate said, “I ask this question because it is hard for me to understand some of the recent happenings in our nation in these critical times.
“The recent news about a budget provision of N15 billion for the construction of a new residence for the Vice President is both shocking and disheartening, considering the many important challenges facing our nation.
“Just recently, in the Supplementary Budget, the sum of N2.5 billion was included for the renovation of the Vice President’s residence in Abuja, which means that he already has a residence.
“Our health facilities have collapsed, and unemployment is skyrocketing. I am convinced that 99.9% of Nigerians can only dream of living in the current residence of the Vice President.
“This is the finance needed to develop the much-needed human capital.
“The budget of N5 billion for student loans, which is yet to be disbursed, is only a tiny percentage of the cost of the Vice President’s new home.
“I am sure the major teaching hospitals in Nsukka, Lagos, Ibadan, and Zaria did not receive this much capital vote in the budget this year.
“Our leaders must therefore stop the recklessness and insensitivity to the plight of the masses.
“We need leaders who show compassion and are willing to sacrifice for common progress and development. Such compassionate and frugal leaders are critical in our journey to the New Nigeria.”
