News
Despite LG autonomy, Nigerian governor spends millions on vehicles for council officials
Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has spent millions of naira to purchase brand new SUVs for chairpersons and vice-chairpersons of the state’s local government councils despite the July 2024 Supreme Court judgement affirming the financial autonomy of Nigeria’s 774 local governments.
On 13 November, Mr Otu, represented by the Deputy Governor of Cross River, Peter Odey, presented Coolray SUVs to 18 vice-chairpersons at the Government House Calabar.
Mr Odey was assisted by the Governor’s Chief of Staff, Emmanuel Ironbar.
A spokesperson to Governor Otu, Nsa Gill, in a press statement on 14 November, said the SUVs were meant to enhance productivity and efficiency at the local councils.
The statement said the Vice-Chairperson of the Obubra Local Government Council, Leonard Ogwa, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, “expressed gratitude” to Mr Otu for the vehicles.
Mr Ogwa said the vehicles would “enhance the smooth and efficient operation of their offices”.
The statement quoted Mr Ogwa as assuring them they would work alongside their council chairpersons to “build on the governor’s achievements.”
Cost of SUVs
According to information available on the Internet, the retail price for a Coolray SUV is between N14,700,000 (Coolray SUV – Dynamic Plus), N13,900,000 (Coolray SUV – Dynamic) and N16,900,000 (Coolray SUV – Sport Plus).
At a unit price of N16,900,000, 18 Coolray SUV—Sport Plus would cost N304,200,000, but the Cross River State Government must have spent much more than that if that is the exact brand it bought for the officials. This is because of the characteristic opaque nature of government procurement processes in Nigeria, which makes them susceptible to prices of goods and services being inflated.
According to the statement, Governor Otu had earlier presented Ford SUVs to the chairpersons of the 18 local councils.
The governor may have spent at least a billion naira to purchase the vehicles for the council chairpersons and vice-chairpersons.
Where did the money come from?
PREMIUM TIMES asked Mr Otu’s spokesperson why the governor should give out vehicles to officials of local councils when the councils are expected to enjoy financial autonomy.
“The autonomy is still there, and the governor abides by the judgement of the Supreme Court, but you also know that even the (Nigerian) constitution also gives power to the House of Assembly to make laws for the administration of the local governments,” Mr Gill responded.
He said the governor’s giving out vehicles to the officials of the local councils does not diminish the regional government’s autonomy.
PREMIUM TIMES also asked Mr Gill where the money for purchasing the vehicles came from.
“You know, for sometimes, there was a joint account (between the state government and the local councils) operation, and there were some reserve funds, so to say, in the joint account.
“I can’t say that the fund came from there, but I know they may have come from there as well,” he responded.
Mr Gill, however, said Governor Otu will not operate the joint account.
He said there is some kind of partnership between the local and state governments to develop Cross River.
Our reporter asked Mr Gill about the possibility that vehicles for local officials may not have been a priority need of the councils.
“First, the chief executives of the councils need to be mobile. The departments in the councils will also need vehicles. And those vehicles (needed by the departments) will be bought directly by the councils,” he responded.
Background
Before the landmark Supreme Court judgement, local councils and their officials existed at the mercy of the governors of their respective states.
Many governors deliberately refused to conduct local elections for several years. They were comfortable appointing their allies to run the affairs of the councils and dictating to them how to use the councils’ funds.
In some cases, the governor arbitrarily dissolved the leadership of some councils and handpicked a new set of officials.
With the Supreme Court judgement, the joint account has been abolished. The Accountant General of the Federation has been mandated to pay funds that belong to the local government directly into a council’s bank account.
The Supreme Court also declared setting up a caretaker committee to run local councils illegal.
FCT minister Nyesom Wike has opened a can of words declaring that all the noise Governor Hope Uzodinma is making is over Senate Presidency.
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By Gloria Ikibah
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, has expressed sadness over the death of former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris.
Idris, a former industrialist and two-term governor of Kogi State, reportedly died in the United Kingdom on Sunday, September 20, 2026.
In a condolence message, Enikanolaiye commiserated with the immediate family of the deceased, the Kogi State Government and people of the state, as well as his associates across the country.
The minister described the death as “unexpected” and urged Nigerians to draw consolation from the exemplary life Idris lived and the legacies he left behind as a man of peace committed to the good of all.
Enikanolaiye said Idris made significant contributions to business, public service and philanthropy, leaving behind projects that defined his tenure as governor.
He said: “The former industrialist has left very bold footmarks on the sand of time in business, public service, and philanthropy. The greater Lokoja water scheme, the international market, several roads and bridges, State Secretariat phase two, and construction of housing estates across the state, in addition to prompt payment of salaries are some of the legacies that defined his public service.
“He was a very tolerant leader and a voice of unity who saw humanity in all irrespective of creed, class, and tribe.
“For me at a personal and community level, it was the late Governor that put, for the very first time, asphalt on the only road that links my communities from Iyamoye through Igbagun to Isanlu in Yagba South East District which made access and movements easier for the people.
“I have been one of the direct beneficiaries of this transformative project. The road is now overdue for rehabilitation.
“This is one death too many. It is particularly sad that his death occurred at a time when his guidance and wealth of experience were highly required in this special general election season. Nigeria will miss him.
“No one can question the Almighty God, the owner of life. I wish the former governor, Al janah fridaus, and the family the strength to bear this irreparable loss.”
The minister prayed for strength for the family to bear what he described as an irreparable loss.
By Gloria Ikibah
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has congratulated First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu on her 66th birthday, describing her as the “Mother of the Nation”.
Kalu commended the First Lady for her service to the country, particularly her interventions aimed at empowering women, supporting families and vulnerable citizens, and investing in young Nigerians.
In a congratulatory message issued on Monday by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, the Deputy Speaker said Senator Tinubu’s leadership had reflected compassion and brought what he described as a profoundly human face to the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He also praised her commitment to raising funds for the renovation and completion of the National Library of Nigeria, describing the initiative as symbolic of her vision for the future.
Kalu said: “Your Excellency, your life of service continues to demonstrate that leadership finds its highest expression in compassion. Through your interventions across the states of our federation, particularly your commitment to the empowerment of women, support for families and vulnerable citizens, and investment in the hopes and aspirations of young Nigerians, you have brought a profoundly human face to the administration of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
“Your remarkable commitment to raising funds for the renovation and completion of the National Library of Nigeria is especially symbolic of your vision for the future. A nation that invests in its libraries invests in the minds of its children”.
The Deputy Speaker further described Senator Tinubu as a source of inspiration to emerging leaders, praising her humility, quiet strength and graciousness in office.
“At 66, we celebrate not only the gift of your life, but the countless lives that have been enriched by your generosity of spirit and commitment to service,” Kalu said.
He prayed for continued strength, sound health and wisdom for the First Lady.
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