As the controversy grows over the outrageous sum budgeted for the purchase of official vehicles for Nigerian Senators, the Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, on Friday, weighed in on the situation.

The Senate Leader, while speaking on Channels Television, said it is wrong to expect Senators to use coastal buses when carrying out their oversight functions while Local Government Chairmen and Ministers have official vehicles.

It would be recalled that N4.7 billion was reported to have been appropriated for the purchase of cars for the 109 Senators that make up the upper legislative chamber of the National Assembly.

The senate leader said on Friday: “Money has been budgeted but the budget has not been passed and you know there is this public debate going on that Senators should not buy cars.”

“Look I am a senator representing 9 Local governments. A Minister was appointed, 36 of them. All of them are driving a convoy of at least 4 cars. By protocol I am the senate leader. For example, I came with a car. I don’t mind for example but what happens to my rights and privileges. For me personally, I don’t care about driving a particular car. I move with any car but what happens to my rights and privilege as a Senate leader.”

“For example the revenue and mobilization commission n their entitlements to my own office, are saying the senate leader should own two cars. We are supposed to do oversight as you know. Should I use my private car to do that?”

“How can I be going in a bus? You want me as a Senator to go in a bus? Senators going in a bus is as a matter of choice. When Senators are going to one place outside Abuja, how do you expect to pack them in a bus? Lets be honest. We are not buying cars for Senators. No. We are buying cars so that they will use those vehicles for committee work.”

Ndume, who has in the past, been accused of having ties with terror group, Boko Haram, however, did not elaborate on whether the senators will buy made in Nigeria vehicles.

Mazi Emeka