State House Sparks Controversy With ₦6 Billion Vehicle Purchase In 2024

Amid Nigeria’s rising cost-of-living crisis, the State House is facing intense scrutiny for spending a staggering ₦5.9 billion on vehicles in 2024.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

This revelation comes as millions of citizens struggle to afford basic necessities due to soaring inflation and government policies.

During a session on Tuesday, the Senate Committee on Special Duties raised concerns over the expenditure, as Permanent Secretary of the State House, Temitope Fashedemi, appeared to defend the 2025 budget allocations.

According to Fashedemi, the State House allocated ₦3.9 billion of its ₦4 billion budget for operational vehicles and spent the entire ₦2 billion allocated for replacing Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs).

This sparked demands from lawmakers for clarification on the necessity and details of the purchases.

Lawmakers Demand Answers

Senator Abdul Ningi, representing Bauchi Central, questioned the rationale behind the vehicle purchases and replacements, seeking specifics on the type, model, and quantity of vehicles acquired.

He asked, “What kind of vehicles are we talking about, and how many were purchased? What is the model?

“And then you mention the replacement of SUVs, where ₦2 billion was allocated and released. What is being replaced, and how many have been replaced?”

Similarly, Senator Aminu Adamu from Adamawa Central criticized the expenditure report, describing it as “deceitful.”

“I want to tell you that whoever prepared this table prepared it to deceive us. It is completely a deceit. You can’t release less than five per cent and claim 100 per cent utilization performance,” Adamu said.

Permanent Secretary Defends Spending

In response, Fashedemi, who assumed office just last month, defended the expenditures, stating they were in line with the approved 2024 budget.