For goodness sake what is wrong with our system? what is wrong with some of our Politicians?  What do we call this type of Political system we have in Nigeria, "WASTETOCRACY" OR "LAVISHOCRACY" in the altar of Poverty? While some State Governments are owing their workers, hospitals are dilapidated, workers are on strike, medical doctors are on strike, school teachers are not paid, pensioners are owed up to 18 months arrears. What do we call this when a speaker spends lavishly while some Nigerians are living in abject poverty?

HOUSE of Representatives speaker Hon Yakubu Dogara has already become engulfed in a major crisis as lawmakers are calling him to task over a recent trip he made to Delta State in a chartered private aircraft that cost a total of N66m (£210,000).  

On July 6, Hon Dogara travelled to Delta State in a private jet to commission an altar in a church in Ubulu-Uku, a town in Aniocha Local Government Area. Financed by Amaechi Mrakpor, a pastor of King Jesus and I Church, who is the newly elected member representing the Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency, the new alter was effectively commissioned at the expense of the country. 

Hon Dogara took a large entourage with him, so could not make use of his official eight-seater jet and he added that none of the planes in the presidential fleet could be used as the Asaba airport was not considered satisfactory enough for them to land. Some members of the House are now claiming that such a tasty lifestyle” is not in line with Hon Dogara’s legislative agenda. 

Although House members are on holiday, the matter is being circulated among them, with some of them questioning why state funds were used to bankroll the trip. However, one pro-Dogara member described the insinuations as politically motivated because of the intrigues in the House. 

One member of the House, said: “The chartered aircraft palaver is being circulated among House members because of the alleged N66m cost. We do not know whether the amount was real or imaginary but it remains in the realm of allegation. 

“The challenge is that he who comes to equity must do so with clean hands. With the robust legislative agenda put in place by Dogara, this is no time for such a luxury and the same House of Representatives joined issues with the immediate past minister of petroleum on the charter of a Bombardier aircraft." 

He added that Hon Dogara needs to explain to members what really transpired as no All Progressives Congress (APC) member is expected to indulge in this type of luxury because the party came into office with an austere agenda. It is believed that the row over the chartered aircraft has disturbed Hon Dogara who felt there was a deliberate attempt to rubbish his image by some political detractors. 

Hon Dogara said to have reached out to as many members as possible to explain that he did not dip his hands into the National Assembly’s coffers. When the House resumes, he may face the wrath of members, who may ask him to explain the circumstances surrounding the trip. 

In September 2007, former speaker Patricia Etteh faced a similar crisis over accusations that she had authorised the spending of N628m ($5m) on renovations of her official residence and that of her deputy and the purchase of 12 official cars. On October 30, following weeks of pressure, Hon Etteh resigned her position as speaker, although she was never officially indicted.