Constituents of the House of Representatives Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, have strongly criticised him for distributing exotic cars worth hundreds of mill
Abbas, who represents Zaria Federal Constituency, handed over 23 Changan X7 Plus vehicles during a brief ceremony held at Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House, Kaduna, last Sunday.
The 2024 model Changan X7 Plus vehicles are estimated to cost between $10,000 and $14,500, that is over N20 million each, depending on features such as transmission and seating capacity), bringing the total expenditure to approximately N460 million for all 23 vehicles.
Speaking at the handover, Abbas described the gesture as part of a broader initiative in partnership with Governor Uba Sani to strengthen traditional institutions.
The speaker explained that the vehicles were procured through the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, SMEDAN as part of the fourth phase of a broader distribution initiative.
He said the latest batch of 23 vehicles follows an earlier phase carried out during Ramadan, during which vehicles were presented to emirs, district heads, and other senior traditional leaders within the Zaria Emirate Council.
However, many constituents argued that the vehicles were a misplaced priority, especially in light of widespread poverty and failing public infrastructure in the state.
They questioned the rationale behind spending public funds on vehicles for already affluent traditional rulers.
“Looking at the source of the funds, which reportedly came from SMEDAN, were they meant for small-scale industries or something else? SMEDAN is supposed to help revive cottage industries, not buy luxury cars. This is not a priority at all. The focus should be on essential services like hospitals and schools. This is clearly a case of misplaced priorities. Instead of making any real impact, this move alienates the people.
“For instance, the state could have been divided into three senatorial zones, and general hospitals in each zone equipped with life-saving equipment like MRI scanners, cancer detectors, and dialysis machines. Or, the funds could have been used to renovate secondary science schools. That would’ve been far more beneficial,” a constituent lamented.
“The speaker has done well for us, but I don’t support this move. There are better ways to support the people. Many see this as a political calculation, not a genuine gesture,” another constituent said.
Another constituent questioned the relevance of the beneficiaries.
“Some of the emirs who got these cars can afford them. Instead, the money should have been spent addressing the water shortages plaguing communities in Zaria City. Our leaders should focus more on the vulnerable and introduce meaningful palliatives, not just support for the elite,” he said.
Another constituent urged Abbas to prioritise infrastructure over symbolic gifts.
He said, “The speaker is sharing rice with constituents, which is okay, but he wasn’t elected for that. We need job creation. There are many graduates here with no work. I appreciate his efforts to continue a road and bridge project abandoned by the state government, but we need more of that, not handouts to a privileged few. When you give someone rice, it lasts a few weeks. But roads and jobs? Those bring long-term benefits.”
“Many families can’t eat three meals a day. These are the people who need help; not the already comfortable,” another constituent lamented.
