Hon Yusuf Gagdi, a House of Representatives member from Plateau State, has faced backlash after gifting his teenage daughter, Aisha, a brand-new Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) as a prize for her graduation from Lead British International School Abuja. Aisha, who reportedly excelled in her Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME), was surprised with the luxury vehicle, valued at over 30 million naira.
Gagdi shared photos from the graduation ceremony on his Instagram, expressing pride in his daughter’s achievements and wishing her a bright future. The gift, however, comes at a time when the Nigerian government has urged citizens to endure ongoing hardships for a better future, sparking outrage on social media.
On X, formerly Twitter, users criticized the lawmaker for his lavish spending. Comments included:
@BigBash4ks: “Nigerian Politics is the most lucrative business in the whole world. Imagine a secondary school leaver driving an SUV of this nature that worth more than 30 million naira…..”
@mefarukh: “Can you imagine, when she graduates from University he is going to buy her a private jet. This is taxpayers’ money.”
@EINaseem4: “He can’t vindicate himself even if it’s with his hard-earned money. A misplaced priority at this crucial time in the country.”
@realadnantweet: “These are the people who refused to give poor man an opportunity to have a decent life. They awarded themselves fat salaries and allowances to live a luxurious life. I heard someone saying it’s his hard-earned money?”
@EgboroSolomon: “This Rep should be arrested at this time when people barely can afford a square meal per day, people are suffering and hungry yet some called elites and cruel politicians are lavishing the benefits of the poor.”
On Facebook, reactions were equally critical:
Al-amin Shuayb: “This gift at this trying moment to fellow masses is a protest trigger.”
Abdlqader Mayner: “So happy for her… This is called motivation.. And whoever knows the bond between parents and children will only commend the dad’s action. But hiding it would have been better considering the current hardship of the populace.”
Thomas Goji: “Nigeria, the poverty capital of the world, with the world’s most highly paid legislator. Gandi has displayed the highest level of insensitivity by buying a secondary school daughter a brand new SUV. When many people in his constituency are dying of hunger.”
Olusegun Fadare: “Hon Yusuf Gagdi is a good giver that jealous people don’t understand… Gift of SUV for graduation from secondary school is not a sin… I wish to have things also to give my children.”
Nura Danbaba Bichi: “What do you expect when she finishes her BSc?”
Aminu Alhasan: “Just secondary school! And her maturity doesn’t deserve the car. Selfish leaders everywhere.”
On Instagram, the sentiment was similar:
@adekunle_aminu: “Na only govt officials dey enjoy this country while d masses r praying for survival.”
@abuzki16: “Is possible the huge amount they are receiving from federal government. And the masses are struggling to survive.”
The Teenage SSCE Graduant
The news, originally reported by Daily Trust Newspapers, has highlighted the disparity between Nigeria’s political elite and the struggling masses, igniting a debate on social media about the responsibilities and priorities of elected officials.
