In an interview with Channels Television, Segun Sowunmi, the former PDP candidate for governor of Ogun State, voiced his reservations about the national assembly’s planned N160 million purchase of SUVs. He emphasized the possible ramifications of the PDP choosing to distance itself from the decision, underscoring the need of political parties adopting a stance on these issues.
Sowunmi pointed out the perceived irresponsibility of the APC government led by Bola Tinubu, especially in the context of economic challenges such as subsidy removal and adverse effects on the exchange rate. The former governor candidate criticised what he deemed an extravagant budget process, suggesting that a more austere approach is necessary given the financial constraints. He underscored the need for responsible governance, particularly in the face of economic hardships that impact citizens.
According to him, “They are saying they want to buy cars at N160 million; can you imagine what would have happened if the PDP had just said no, we’re not part of it, we’re walking out, and people would say okay, yeah, maybe these people are with us, but what did they do? They were quiet; they’re talking out the budget process, that some of the figures that’s been banded all over the country, you just get the impression that the APC government of Bola Tinubu is just irresponsible. You can’t be running an austere system where you don’t have enough resources even to do the big things. You can’t have people feeling the pain of subsidy removal and what have you; you can’t have the impact of the exchange rate the way it is, and the list you can do which is just reduce the overhead cost from your side.”
