Senator Imaseun Defends Labour Party Lawmakers In SUV Controversy

A Senator from the Labour Party,  Neda Imasuen, has defended Labour Party lawmakers against criticism for not rejecting the National Assembly’s plan to purchase Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) allegedly worth N160 million for each lawmaker.

Imasuen, who is Chairman, of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions said that the number of Labour Party lawmakers in the National Assembly is too small to stop the plan to buy luxury vehicles.

The decision by National Assembly members to buy SUVs amid economic challenges has caused public outrage in the country.

The National Chairman of the LP, Julius Abure, urged Labour Party members in the National Assembly not to participate in what he described as extravagant and insensitive spending, contrary to the party’s pro-people ideology.

But speaking with journalists in Benin, Imasuen, who represents Edo Central in the Senate said that there are only eight Labour Party senators among the 109 in the Senate and that their influence alone would not be enough to stop the majority from proceeding with the purchase of luxury vehicles.

In a democracy, Imasuen said that he hasn’t been given a vehicle, and no offers have come his way.
He stressed that in such a system, decisions are made by the majority, while the minority can still express their views.

He said, “I want to say that I have not received any vehicle and none has been offered to me. However, we are in a democracy where the majority will have their way and the minority will have their say.

“We can only say what we believe is the right thing to do in the parliament; we are just eight senators, among 109 senators. So, those who have zeroed in on Labour Party senators. I think it is very unfair.

“Assuming 109 vehicles are given to senators and eight rejected them, can you please tell me what significance that will be to the budget or the overall image of the National Assembly?

“What I can say is that the LP is not the proponent of this and we have made some inquiries and these seem to be the practice every four years.

“What people don’t know is that senators are offered the right of first refusal after their tenure. If they don’t buy the vehicle, it goes back to the Senate.

“It is supposed to be a working vehicle for senators. If we were to vote on it today, the eight Labour Party senators will vote against it but it doesn’t stop it because the 101 senators will vote yes. Even if we reject it, who takes it, are they going to return it to the manufacturers?”

Kanyi Daily recalls that the Labour Party (LP) had submitted a petition to the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, over alleged misconduct at the tribunal in Lagos.