‘We Are Entitled To It’ – Senator Umeh Faults Criticism Of Lawmakers’ Having Official Cars

The senator representing Anambra Central, Victor Umeh, has defended the provision of official vehicles to members of the National Assembly, saying lawmakers need such vehicles to effectively discharge their legislative duties.

Naija News reports that Umeh, who spoke on AIT’s Political Platform on Monday, dismissed criticisms trailing the allocation of vehicles to federal lawmakers, arguing that the matter had been unfairly politicised.

According to him, receiving an official car for official assignments should not be treated as a scandal, especially when other arms of government also enjoy similar benefits.

‘Why Won’t I Get Official Vehicle?’

When asked whether he received a vehicle from the National Assembly, Umeh said there was nothing wrong with a senator being given an official car for legislative work.

“Why won’t I get a vehicle for performing official function? Are you not seeing people in the executive arm of government having fleet of vehicles?” he asked.

The lawmaker said the National Assembly was often singled out for public criticism, even when lawmakers were receiving benefits meant to support their work.

He said, “Why is National Assembly singled out for lampooning? You cannot be faulted for having one official vehicle, one, not two, not fleet. I’m not a principal officer in the National Assembly, I’m just a senator representing my senatorial district, and I’m entitled to an official car to do my work.

“If the only way Nigeria can be good is for senators to be trekking to work, well, I don’t think we’re being serious.”

Umeh Tackles SERAP Over Judgment

Umeh also reacted to the judgment secured by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) against the National Assembly over the procurement of vehicles and payment of allowances to lawmakers.

He said it was not enough for SERAP to obtain a court judgment, adding that the organisation must take steps to enforce it against those affected by the ruling.

“SERAP should go and execute the judgment. If you get a judgment, you have to enforce it against the persons it is directed,” he stated.

The senator’s comments followed renewed public debate over a Federal High Court judgment in Lagos, which declared unlawful the National Assembly’s vehicle procurement and allowance arrangements.

The court, presided over by Justice Yellim Bogoro, held that the proposed expenditure of ₦40 billion on 465 vehicles for federal lawmakers and ₦70 billion as support allowances for newly elected legislators violated procurement laws, constitutional provisions and public trust.

SERAP, which filed the suit, said the court found the expenditures to be arbitrary, disproportionate and inconsistent with statutory procurement standards.

Umeh rejected allegations that federal lawmakers receive excessive allowances and benefits, saying the National Assembly operates as an institution with systems that can be audited.

He argued that critics should rely on official records and relevant institutions instead of making general claims about lawmakers’ earnings.

“I know that the National Assembly is an institution that has systems, that you can audit. If you have anything, it’s not by saying the people are getting jumbo pay and all that and you get an order. Let them go and get the Auditor-General of the Federation to support their claims or the National Assembly Service Commission,” he said.