Taraba State Governor Darius Ishaku has approved N2 billion to purchase luxury vehicles for himself, his deputy, and their wives.
Bellnewsonline.com reports that this disclosure is according to a source who attended the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting where the approval was made.
“Governor Darius Ishaku in our last SEC meeting asked the council to approve a memo he presented for the purchase of luxury vehicles for himself, his deputy and their wives and it was speedily approved without any argument,” he said.
The SEC reportedly argued that since the governor and his deputy assumed office in 2019, they have been using old vehicles inherited from their predecessors, and therefore deserve new luxury vehicles from the state, Premium Times reported.
According to the source, the governor and his wife will receive over N1.3 billion for the purchase of two Toyota Land Cruiser SUVs, two escort Toyota Hilux vehicles, and a utility vehicle. The deputy governor and his wife, on the other hand, were given over N750 million for the purchase of two lower versions of Land Cruiser SUVs, one escort vehicle, one SUV, and a utility car.
Bellnewsonline.com learnt that the Commissioner for Information, Lois Emmanuel, did not confirm or deny the approval when contacted.
It is worth noting that the approval comes barely 18 days before the end of Governor Ishaku’s tenure.