In a scathing critique, two-time minister and former World Bank Vice President Oby Ezekwesili has lambasted the Nigerian government for its “obscene indulgence” in luxury purchases, such as the acquisition of a 16-year-old Airbus plane by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Ezekwesili’s pointed remarks underscore a growing frustration with what she describes as “fiscal rascality” in a nation grappling with widespread poverty and mounting debt.
Ezekwesili did not mince words, calling out both the executive and legislative arms of government, including the National Assembly, for their continued extravagance despite Nigeria’s precarious economic situation. She emphasized that such actions are not only irresponsible but also unsustainable, warning that the government’s insensitivity to the plight of its citizens could lead to dire consequences.
The former minister highlighted the historical pattern of wasteful spending by the government, referencing her 2013 keynote speech on the Cost of Governance, which exposed the staggering allocations to the National Assembly over the years.
Ezekwesili further expressed her disappointment in the lack of accountability from the government, pointing out that despite the public outcry and calls for transparency, the lawmakers have yet to follow through on their 2013 promise of a public debate on their salaries. Her frustration is palpable as she recounts how, a decade later, Nigerians are still suffering under the same “story-story” governance, with no end in sight.
She warned that the continued disregard for the well-being of the citizens by the Nigerian political class is a ticking time bomb. She argues that the current restiveness seen in the populace, highlighted by movements like #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria, is a direct result of this neglect and could escalate if the government fails to change course.
