Many Nigerianson social media have called out the Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, saying that some of his spending were insensitive over a document shared online which revealed his administration procurement record.
Funsho Doherty, governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Congress (ADC) in the 2023 poll in an open letter analysed the register of public procurement awards by the Lagos government for the second and third quarters of 2023 and listed some projects awarded by the state government that require greater scrutiny.
The open letter has continued to generate comments and reactions among Lagosians and Nigerians at large on social media since it was made public by Doherty.
Recall that the Lagos state government approved N581m to renovate Saint Andrews Anglican Church in the Oke-Popo area of the state.
The Lagos state government also approved N73.1m to produce the official portraits of President Bola Tinubu and the state governor, Sanwo-Olu.
Another sum of N440,750,000 was awarded to the office of the chief of staff for the procurement of a brand new Lexus LX 600 Bulletproof Sport Utility Vehicle for use in the Pool of Office of Chief.
Similarly, a sum of N44.8m was approved for the clearing of vegetables within the Epe Mixed Development Scheme.
It was gathered that the project was awarded in May to M/S Obak Nigeria Enterprises by the Lagos State New Towns Development Authority.
However, many Nigerians who reacted expressed dismay with the procurement record and criticised the administration’s spending, noting that some were unjustifiable in the present economic reality in the country.
Reacting to the procurement document, Olusegun Onigbinde, director of BudgIT, said the revelation shows that Nigerian leaders were not in turn with reality.
“Nigerian leaders live in alternate universe. Damn!!! N30m monthly empowerment programme for wife of Deputy Governor. Taxpayers dey work, politicians and friends dey chop,” Onigbinde said.
Similarly, activist Rinu Oduala, said the revelation by Doherty tells why some people would not allow free and fair polls in Lagos State.
“It’s evident why some would rather die than conduct free and fair elections,” Rinu said.
Michael Onu said some people would never want free and fair election just to maintain their hegemony and control of the structure.
“A part of this country depends on fraudulent census and fraudulent elections to maintain its hegemony. They will never allow free and fair elections.This is a deep thing young people don’t understand.
“Those who want free elections must fight to get it, I mean FIGHT!”
Another X user, Concerned Nigerians, said revelation was an indication that APC was just banking on the fact that Nigerians are lazy.
According to him, “Thank You Sir for taking your time out to do this, 7m for air fresheners. 2b for rechargeable fans and fridge for one office. 500m to renovate church.
“Among other things pointed out APC are just banking on the fact that Nigerians are too lazy to read.”
Another user by the name, Kelvin, said impunity had encouraged corruption and siphoning of public resources in Nigeria.
“Nobody will manage his private business this way, why things like this will persist is because people don’t go to jail for mismanagement and plundering of Government resources,” Kelvin said.
Lukman Yusuf Adamu said: “Every madman in Nigeria has his own style of showcasing it.”
Shafiu Yusuf said: “Vegetables or weeds, I don’t understand ooh.: Moses Healer
Agbo Adikwu said: “What a country.”
@iam_wilsons said, “This is ridiculous. Nigerian politicians are eternally wicked.”
@DJDaley wrote, “And to think that minimum wage in Lagos State is N30,000 only.
@olufemi It very obvious that the Lagos State Governor does not mean well for Lagosians. What exactly are you renovating in a church with that huge some of amount.
@dekola I am really shocked with this records and the amount budget for such renovation.
@ify This is pure corruption of the highest order by the Lagos State Govt. It still beat my imagination on why the govt will spend such huge amount of money to renovate a church.
@dejavu Lagosians are suffering but our governor can approve tax payers money to refurbish a church. Come to think of it, are they building a new church?
@aliu We have come to a level where our govt can squander our money on things that requires less amount.
@Samad Sanwo-Olu has shown that he is still serving Tinubu. Again, spending such amount of money to renovate a church is pure exploitation from those Lagosians that pays their tax.