The leaderships of the Senate and the House of Representatives have Initiated separate Contracts for the Procurement of hundreds of 2023 model Toyota Land Cruiser and Prado SUVs, despite facing heightened Criticism.
The move has attracted Widespread Condemnation for its perceived Insensitivity to the Economic struggles faced by Nigerians.
In a contentious move, the Senate is set to receive 107 Units of the 2023 Toyota Prado, each valued at roughly N160 million, in addition to Bulletproof Vehicles for the Senate President and the Deputy Senate President, priced at N320 million each.
Similarly, the House of Representatives is gearing up to distribute 358 units of the 2023 model Toyota Land Cruiser, alongside Bulletproof Vehicles for the Speaker and his Deputy, even as the Market price for the Land Cruiser ranges between N135 million and N145 million.
Critics, including the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and a coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), have voiced their disapproval.
SERAP has applied for an Interim Injunction at the Federal High Court to prevent the House of Representatives from taking delivery of the SUVs, citing a blatant disregard for the harsh economic situation.
In an open letter to President Bola Tinubu, SERAP urged him to pressure the National Assembly Leadership to halt the acquisition of the SUVs until the Court determines the Legality of the purchase.
The Organization argued that allowing the National Assembly to proceed with the acquisition would undermine the rule of Law and prejudge the pending Lawsuit.
While the House of Representatives has acknowledged placing Orders for the Vehicles, the Senate has remained tight-lipped.
The significant disparity between the current Prices and the costs in 2019, as well as the extravagant features of the Vehicles, has further fueled Public outrage.
Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, and the Human Rights Writers Association (HURIWA) are among those who have vehemently Criticized the Expenditure, decrying the Insensitivity of the Lawmakers to the Economic realities faced by ordinary Nigerians.
