The Governor of Taraba State, Darius Ishaku, has denied reports of using state funds to buy luxury vehicles for himself, his deputy, and their wives.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the allegations arose after a newspaper reported that the governor approved the purchase of N2 billion worth of expensive cars in the final weeks of his term.
The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Governor, Bala Dan-Abu, dismissed the claims, stating that they were the product of social media speculation. He urged traditional media outlets not to give credence to the rumors.
However, the opposition Action Alliance (AA) Party in Taraba State has criticized the proposed vehicle purchase. Moses Kugba, the party’s chairman in the state, argued that the money could be better spent on schools, roads, and completing unfinished projects.
Kugba stated, “The governor has some uncompleted projects, and we expect him to complete some of these projects and not remove such a huge amount of money to buy cars.”
Premium Times had reported that the governor requested the purchase of two Toyota Land Cruiser SUVs, two escort Toyota Hilux vans, and a utility vehicle for himself, while his wife was set to receive a Land Cruiser SUV worth N1.3 billion.
The deputy governor, Haruna Manu, would be given one escort vehicle, and two Land Cruiser SUVs in lower trim levels, and his wife would receive an SUV and a utility vehicle, the newspaper added.
