The speaker stated this while responding to reports that he hosted a lavish 90th birthday party for his mother in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on tax payers’ funds.
It was strictly for family members and a few childhood friends for which no public funds were appropriated or expended,” Mr Lasisi wrote in his statement. “Indeed not a single politician nor a legislator was present at the event.”
Many Nigerians had expressed outrage at the speaker’s decision to celebrate his mother’s birthday in Dubai. They took to social media to express their anger after the speaker’s aide confirmed the party, saying such actions make citizens lose trust in their government.
In 2018, Mr Gbajabiamila received a similar criticism when he, apart from a one-day lavish party, gifted his wife, Salamatu Gbajabiamila, a Mercedes G-Wagon, reportedly priced at $300,000, with a number plate customised with the fond word “ASSURANCE”, for her 50th birthday.