By Emmanuel Nduka
As Nigerians continue to suffer chronic hardship occasioned by the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu, a Federal lawmaker, Yusuf Gagdi, has gifted his teenage daughter a brand new Lexus SUV upon graduation from secondary school.
Heritage Times HT reports that the lawmaker is a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and represents Pankshin/ Kanke/Kanam Constituency in Plateau State, Northcentral Nigeria.
Gagdi reportedly splurged on a brand-new Lexus RX SUV to mark his daughter Aisha Gadgi’s graduation from Lead British International School in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
The daughter also reportedly did well in her Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), local media, Daily Nigerian reported on Sunday.
Pictures of the proud family and the luxury vehicle were posted on the newspaper’s Facebook page, showcasing the lavish celebration.
The extravagant gift has however sparked conversations about wealth inequality and spending habits among Nigerian politicians, especially amidst a struggling economy.
Heritage Times HT reports that the 2024 Lexus RX SUV has several models with different price points: RX 350, starts at $49,950; RX 350h (Hybrid), starts at $51,800; RX 500h F SPORT Performance, starts at $63,800; and RX 450h+ (Plug-in Hybrid), starts at $70,080.
Nigerians React
A Facebook user, Lawan Bala Muhammad wrote, “Just secondary school not university. That good representation”.
On his part, Abubakar Alhaji Abubakar said Nigeria’s “democracy is in wheelchair”.
Abdul Muhammad said, “While his constituents are there without electricity, water, access road or job opportunities.”
“So she would be gifted a jet when she graduates from the university, mispriority of highest order!all the same,congrats to the young damsel,” King Sunday Ajayi wrote.
Adebanjo Joshua said, “SUV that worths more than #75M wasted on secondary school graduated daughter while his constituents are left unemployed and impoverished? God will punish you!”
Babadoko Kutigi wrote, “And they(politicians)keep on telling innocent and venerable Nigerians to be patient with government while add more millions to their reserves everyday by day”.
Ahmerd Muserh said, “How i wish! Such is happening amidst the uncertainty of twice meal for the masses. Nigeria is not a country, it’s a business organisation with heartless proprietors. Astagfirullah!”
Nura Isyaku Fagge wrote, “This is the same lawmaker pretending to pity our situation. He was once addressing the chamber nearly crying.. Mhm”.
Imrana Daura said, “He could have the money used in buying the car and settle school fees for the less privileged. At least he can for over 300 students in the Nigerian Federal University tuition fees system”.
Also, Ibrahim Magaji Alkasim said, “This car is worth 80-100 Million Naira. How long will it take a working class Nigerian to buy it?
“The politicians are nothing but bunch of looters, they milk the country dry and if you ask for 250k minimum wage they will say Nigeria doesn’t have that money to pay its workers. Always borrowing money from China, IMF and world Bank, they are the same people that will share the money as bogus allowances and mismanage the rest”.
“That is why as ordinary citizens it’s time for us to come back into our right senses and forget our differences, which they are using to divide us. Let us remember It’s us VS them!”
Musa Ibrahim Ahmed wrote, “And they’re still asking Nigerians to be patient. Someone who’s giving out a car worth 40m is asking someone who is struggling with 2 square meal to be patient.!!
