Presidency Opens Up on ‘Buhari, Osinbajo, and Ministers Taking Home Official Vehicles’

The presidency has shed light on whether President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, and cabinet ministers are allowed to retain their official vehicles upon leaving office.

POLITICS NIGERIA reports that neither President Buhari, Vice President Osinbajo, nor any minister in the cabinet will be permitted to keep their official vehicles after their tenure concludes.

According to the presidency, the severance benefits for ministers will be in line with the guidelines set by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission.

Furthermore, it was confirmed that President Buhari and Vice President Osinbajo would leave behind their armoured luxury vehicles, which will be handed over to their successors, namely Bola Tinubu and his deputy, Kashim Shettima.

Mallam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, explained in an interview with Punch that no one is entitled to official cars. Instead, project vehicles are being utilised, which can only be sold after four years when their book value is depleted.

Shehu emphasised that this legal provision applies to ministers and the President alike. He stated, “Don’t expect that because ministers are leaving, they will carry their vehicles under Buhari. It is not going to happen. If the ministers are not taking their vehicles along, you don’t expect the president to take any. It is not going to happen.”

Shehu further clarified that former presidents and vice presidents are already granted a specific number of vehicles according to the law, which may be updated after a certain period. He assured that President Buhari would adhere to this arrangement and not place himself above his predecessors.

This newspaper learnt that a source within the Presidency highlighted that the vehicles used by the President and Vice President are purpose-built and cannot be utilised by private citizens, which former officeholders become upon leaving office. These vehicles not only come with a hefty price tag but also boast advanced security and custom features.

Reports indicate that the President and Vice President currently make use of armoured 2019 Mercedes Benz Maybach S650 bullet-proof sedans, estimated to be worth at least N300 million, according to experts.