Senator Neda Bernard Imasuen, representing Edo South Senatorial District under the Labour Party (LP), has clarified the acceptance of N160 million luxury Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) provided for each senator as official vehicles. He mentioned that rejecting the luxury SUVs would have made no difference, as there were only eight LP members in the Senate, and the majority would still have gone ahead to purchase the vehicles.
Imasuen, who serves as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, explained that if the matter were brought to the floor of the house, LP senators would vote against it. He emphasized that LP members, being in the minority, could express their views but would not change the majority’s decision.
The senator also addressed rumors of his planned defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), stating that he had no intention of leaving the LP or joining any other party. He attributed the rumors to the opposition party’s attempt to create confusion within the LP.
Imasuen further highlighted that senators have the right of first refusal to purchase the vehicles, and if they don’t buy them, the vehicles are taken back. These SUVs are intended for the senators to use for their work. If a vote were held on the matter, the eight LP senators would vote against it, but the 101 senators would likely vote in favor of the vehicles.
