Nigerians are not happy that Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila decided to hold his mother’s 90th birthday celebration in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
This followed the controversy generated when online newspaper, Sahara Reporters said it had uncovered plans by the speaker to spend N500 million of public funds on the event.
Gbajabiamila quickly dispelled the report, saying no public funds were expended.
He added that the event was strictly for family and a few childhood friends and no politician was invited.
However, many Nigerians that took to social media on Tuesday queried why the celebration could not be held in Nigeria.
Muhammad Adam wrote, “Public or no public funds, a public officer should be a role model, celebrating birthday abroad when people are looking for petty jobs to do won’t give a sign of hope to the teeming unemployed youth.
“Assuming the birthday was to celebrated in Nigeria with his hard-earned money, many caterers and events organisers will go to their bank smiling but as number 4 citizen, you took job(s) abroad at a time your constituents are in dare need of it. What a shame.”
Opuah Abeikwen added, “My problem isn’t about the money, I mean average Nigerians who like luxury can afford that, but why Dubai?
“Where is the leadership there, if every citizen of Nigeria were to go spend such huge amounts out of the country, will we ever develop?
“Anyone can do that but not him, not when he is representing people who look up to him, not when he is a speaker.
“If you condemn Buhari for medical tourism please condemn this too.”
Mikhail Adeniyi Balogun wrote, “The regime propaganda is doing things better than the previous government and leading by example.
“Where’s the leadership by example? Last time it was ostentatious purchase and display of G-wagon worth 72m for his wife and now it’s Dubai birthday party for his mom amidst squalor, poverty, economic hardship imposed on the population by the political class that he’s also part of. Sad.”
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Abdulfattah Olufemi Ayinla wrote, “See our values…Even in the midst of raging poverty… The same 90th birthday was held in Lagos last week… You see why we are where we are!!! We are blessed with leaders that are no leaders.”
Pius Oko wrote, “Why can’t you have the birthday here in Nigeria? At least local people can benefit from it, greedy and selfish politicians we have in this country.”
Patrick Odiaka wrote, “Nigerian political class hates Nigeria with passion. They never do anything that favors the country except themselves.
“This present NASS may end up being the most criminal minded. They are already proposing to grant themselves immunity with eyes on their future criminal intentions.
“It’s time for every politician in power to make their asset declaration public and Nigerians should demand it”.
But some Nigerians say there is no big deal to holding his mother’s birthday celebration abroad.
Femi Sanni wrote, “So because her son is now a Speaker of Nigeria House of Representatives, she should hold her birthday party in the slum? Nigerians should reasoning like paupers.”
Taiwo Okunmuyide wrote, “Any public figure person like honorable Femi Gbajabiamila should be careful with their activities when they are in office because not everyone wants them up there. (They would be) looking for errors and mistakes to capitalise on.”