The January 31st 2021 report by SaharaReporters where Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde was said to have purchased cars worth Two Billion Naira to various PDP politicians and political functionaries should attract the attention of patriotic sons and daughters of Oyo State, Nigeria.
This writer made some inquiries about the report and confirmed that indeed, it was largely true.
In that report, Makinde bought a 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado SUV worth Sixty-five (65) million Naira for Late Lamidi Adedibu’s widow – Abosede Adedibu. Recall that the late Adedibu was the strong man of Ibadan politics, well known for political thuggery and violence, such that he was named the “garrison commander” of Oyo State politics. This means that, even in death, Adedibu’s wife is still reaping the benefits of her late husband’s “Amala Politics” in Ibadan, Oyo State. Ironically, Makinde, whose Oyo South Senatorial ambition was truncated by Late Adedibu in 2007 and 2011 is now the current beneficiary of Adedibu’s “political dynasty” in Ibadan, such that he - Makinde MUST show gratitude to Mrs Adedibu.
SaharaReporters also claimed that their sources close to the Oyo government revealed in addition, that lower trim of the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 2020 model of SUV worth Forty-five (45) million Naira was also given to Taye Currency - a Fuji musician in Ibadan. The Fuji musician must have sung excellently well at various Makinde’s gubernatorial campaigns in 2018/2019, and he deserved to be this handsomely compensated by the spendthrift governor Makinde.
Mrs Mutia Olayinka Ladoja, estranged wife of Rashidi Ladoja – former Governor of Oyo State whose regime was made chaotic by late Adedibu, also got a “2020 Toyota (sic) LX 570 SUV” from Makinde. Further investigation by this writer revealed that Ladoja actually got two cars – a Toyota Landcruiser Prado SUV and a Lexus LX 570 SUV worth over one hundred and twenty (120) millions of Naira. She must be more politically valuable than, not only her husband – Ladoja who got nothing, but also Mrs Adedibu and Taye Currency who got one each. Readers would recall that one of the accusations levelled against former Gov. Ladoja by late Adedibu was that he – Ladoja was too prudent with the state resources, and was not sharing the security votes with him and his political associates. Is it not ironic that Ladoja’s wife is now a beneficiary of two luxury cars from a Ladoja’s successor?
Several other politicians not so popular might have received similar or less luxury vehicles from the extravagant governor. In fact, the 33 Local PDP Chairmen in Oyo State were considered lesser important, as each of them got only two-million-naira worth of car from the magnanimously improvident Makinde. The 33 PDP Local Chairmen must be grateful Makinde did not forget them in his largess.
On Toyota and Lexus websites, the Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), also known as the Sticker price of the lowest trim level of a new Toyota Landcruiser Prado and a new Lexus LX are $US85,415 and $US86,730, respectively, which at the minimum, is equivalent to Thirty-three (33) Million Naira (at an official exchange rate of $1 to N380). So, going by the fact the vehicles are not manufactured in Nigeria, factoring in the cost of shipping, customs duties, the profits of local dealers and the kick-backs to the political functionaries and civil servants involved should conveniently bring the total cost of Makinde’s car gifts to two billion Naira as claimed by Sahara Reporter.
Governor Makinde had earlier in December 2019 obtained a N2 billion loan to purchase cars for the 32 members of Oyo State House of Assembly. While this could be minimally considered an appropriate government spending, in providing official vehicles, with which the political functionaries would perform their duties, spending the state resources for the non-elected or appointed politicians is unacceptable and it is a gross mismanagement of the state resources.
It is also curious to ask if taking a loan to buy such vehicles, depreciating assets, is appropriate? Especially for a state like Oyo State that depends mostly on the Federal Allocation, a large percentage of which comes from dwindling oil revenue. Oyo State should be more circumspect in spending, be frugal and set priority. Oyo State should be run with questions like – “what if the federal allocation stops?” “How can we increase State IGR and reduce loan?” in mind at all times. Innoson Motors Nigeria would have provided reliable vehicles at much cheaper prices and Nigerian local economy would have benefited in the process.
In developed countries where there are many car manufacturers, official government vehicles are re-used by successive government functionaries. Unfortunately, in Nigeria official vehicles are usually not re-used either due to our politician’s egos, inferiority complex and outright lack of patriotism. Now that Makinde has plunged Oyo State into car loan, the next government would mostly like to do the same, as Makinde predecessor also did. The most hilarious and ridiculous thing that may happen is for Makinde to be re-elected and take another car loan for his next regime.
All over the world, governments at all levels take loans for building schools, colleges, roads, bridges and various infrastructural facilities that will benefit the people, especially the unborn generation. Currently, Oyo State public schools’ buildings are dilapidated, state hospitals are lacking in equipment and consumables to function, many state and local roads are impassable. These are the things sensible governments should prioritize and take-out loans to build.
