Hon Yusuf Gagdi, a House of Representatives member from Plateau State, has sparked significant backlash after gifting his teenage daughter, Aisha, a brand-new Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) to celebrate her graduation from Lead British International School in Abuja.
The gesture comes at a time when many Nigerians are grappling with severe economic hardships.
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Aisha, who recently excelled in her Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME), received the luxury vehicle as a reward for her academic achievements.
Hon Gagdi shared photos from the graduation ceremony on Instagram, expressing his pride and joy.
He wrote, “Today, I attended my amazing daughter’s graduation ceremony. Watching you, my dear daughter, walk across that stage fills my heart with immense pride and love. I celebrate your achievements and the strength you’ve shown. Here’s to a future filled with endless possibilities and happiness. Congratulations, my shining star!”
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The timing of the gift has drawn ire from many Nigerians, who view it as an extravagant display of wealth amidst widespread poverty and economic struggle. Critics took to social media to voice their discontent.
On X (formerly Twitter), @BigBash4ks commented, “Nigerian politics is the most lucrative business in the whole world. Imagine a secondary school leaver driving an SUV worth more than 30 million naira…”
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@mefarukh added, “Can you imagine, when she graduates from university, is he going to buy her a private jet? This is taxpayers’ money.”
@EINaseem4 criticized, “He can’t vindicate himself even if it’s with his hard-earned money. A misplaced priority at this crucial time in the country.”
Other social media users echoed similar sentiments, with @realadnantweet noting, “These are the people who refused to give the poor man an opportunity to have a decent life. They awarded themselves fat salaries and allowances to live a luxurious life.”
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On Facebook, reactions were equally heated. Al-amin Shuayb wrote, “This gift at this trying moment to fellow masses is a protest trigger.”
Abdlqader Mayner commented, “So happy for her… This is called motivation… But hiding it would have been better considering the current hardship of the populace.”
Thomas Goji expressed frustration, “Nigeria, the poverty capital of the world, with the world’s most highly paid legislator. Gagdi has displayed the highest level of insensitivity by buying his secondary school daughter a brand-new SUV while many people in his constituency are dying of hunger.”
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Despite some defending the lawmaker’s actions as a demonstration of parental love and motivation, the consensus among the public remains largely critical, highlighting the growing discontent over the disparity between the political elite and the struggling masses.
