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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.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council has expressed deep shock over the death of its member and former Secretary of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), FCT Chapter, Prophetess Ogonnaya Regina Umeham.
Prophetess Umeham passed away on Friday after a prolonged illness.
She was a former staff member of Daily Times Newspapers and, until her death, served as the News Editor of Weekenders Magazine.
This devastating news comes while the council is still grieving the loss of another member, the late Rafat Idris.
In a statement issued on Saturday by the Secretary of the Council, Comrade Jide Oyekunle, the NUJ expressed its sorrow over this tragic and unfortunate loss.
The statement reads:
*“The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council joins the family, friends, colleagues, and associates of Prophetess Ogonnaya Umeham in mourning the sudden passing of this vibrant journalist, whose health sadly deteriorated in recent months.
“This loss is particularly painful and devastating for us, coming just hours after the passing of another colleague, Rafat Idris.
“Prophetess Umeham, a former NAWOJ Secretary, who passed away on Friday morning after a protracted illness, worked with several reputable media organizations, including Daily Times Newspapers. Until her passing, she was the News Editor of Weekenders Magazine in Abuja.
“She also served as the Secretary of the Credentials Committee for the Delegates Conference of NAWOJ held in Kano, where Comrade Gbenga Onayiga was the Chairman.”*
The family of Prophetess Umeham will announce her burial arrangements in due course.
Properties estimated in millions of naira have been destroyed following a fire incident at the popular Araromi spare parts market located at Agodi-Gate in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The fire reportedly ignited around 2 a.m. on Saturday and continues to burn, with firefighters actively working to bring it under control.
Confirming the incident to PUNCH, the General Manager of Oyo State Fire Services, Akinyemi Akinyinka, said: “We are battling with a serious inferno at Agodi-Gate. Help us to call water tanker owners to assist us. We are still here battling with the situation.”
The origin of the fire is still unknown, and investigations are currently underway.
In a related incident, a devastating fire on Friday resulted in the tragic loss of a husband, wife, and their grandson in the Ori-Eru, Idikan area of Ibadan, affecting a two-story building at 3:46 a.m.
Earlier this week, another fire caused significant damage in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, on Sunday morning, destroying three shops, although the timely response of the state fire services prevented further loss by saving 13 additional shops.
Additionally, last Friday, a fire broke out at a parish of the Christ Apostolic Church in Ibadan during a vigil,g reportedly trapping several worshippers inside.
This incident occurred around 9:30 p.m. at Wisdom Estate, Road 1G, Olohunda Road, in the Lagelu Local Government Area.
Prophetess Naomi Silekunola Ogunwusi, the estranged queen of the Ooni of Ife, slumped while in police detention amid investigations into the tragic stampede at a children’s funfair in Ibadan.
She was quickly taken to the Police Hospital in Eleyele for treatment.
According to Punch, she was brought in alongside broadcaster Oriyomi Hamzat, who co-hosted the ill-fated event.
A senior staff member of the police hospital confirmed the development.
“Both of them are currently at the hospital. They brought them in today. But I can’t give you further details because it is a sensitive matter and the police have barricaded the whole hospital,” the hospital worker said.
The funfair, intended for 5,000 children, saw a turnout of over 7,500, leading to a deadly rush that claimed the lives of 35 children and injured several others.
Many of the injured were taken to hospitals, where some remain under care.
The police have arrested eight people, and the Inspector General of Police has now taken charge of the investigation.
Meanwhile, Agidigbo FM, one of the organizers, has been shut down.
In response to the tragedy, the Oyo State Government has ordered stricter safety rules for public events, especially those involving children.
Governor Seyi Makinde canceled his December 25 birthday celebration to honour the victims, calling the event a painful and preventable loss.
Families of the victims and the entire community are still in shock as the probe continues.
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