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Kogi: Gov Bello, Faleke trade words over purchase of N1bn vehicles  

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Abiodun Faleke/Yahaya Bello

The rivalry between the camps of Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State and the Deputy Governorship candidtate to Alhaji Audu Abubakar, has again been rekindled, as both camps have traded words over the alleged purchase of luxurious vehicles worth N1bn for political appointees in the state.

The Audu-Faleke Campaign Organization,  the political machinery of Hon. Faleke, in a statement by its Director of Media and Publicity, Hon. Duro Meseko, accused Governor Bello of ignoring several warnings against engaging in such reckless spending of the lean resources of the state by buying the vehicles, noting that the procurement of the vehicles was grossly insensitive.

The state government however denied the allegation, accusing the Faleke group of constituting itself into an opposition group despite being members of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

The Audu-Faleke organisation said:  “We find it hard to believe that despite repeated admonitions by well meaning groups and individuals, the Yahaya Bello administration still went ahead on an unimaginable flight of fancy by purchasing expensive vehicles for use by some aides of the governor and the governor himself.

“Credible information reaching us indicates that Ford SUVs (jeeps) worth N18 million each and Ford Ranger Trucks (pickup van) worth N6 million each were purchased for the 21 Local Government Caretaker Chairmen in the State, totaling N504 million.

“This is in addition to the 70 Ford Ranger Trucks purportedly purchased for the Police totaling N420 million and, of course, different from the N135 million bullet- proof Range Rover ordered for the governor and being shipped home presently,” the organization said.

Continuing, the group said it was in possession of information that the government bought a BMW and G-Wagon Mercedes Benz as official vehicles for the Chief of Staff to the governor. It also added that thr cars in the Chief of Staff’s fleet, are serviced and maintained by Coscharis Motors, Abuja.

While reacting to the allegation, the state government, in a statement signed by the Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to the Governor, Abdulkarim Abdulmalik, said the allegations by the Faleke group are false and full of malicious content.

Read also: EFCC retrieves video of how Obanikoro moved N1.3bn cash for Fayose

Insisting that the Governor has not bought any vehicle for political appointees in the state, the statement claims that the Chief of Staff to the Governor is using is his  personal car and was not bought by the government for him.

“It is therefore pertinent to say that all the appointees of the Governor are yet to be given official vehicles and those who have were just using the old vehicles acquired and used by the immediate past government in the state.

On the purchase of Ford vehicles for Local Government councils, the state government said they were bought on loans, which is to be paid back in twelve months, adding that the Ford vehicles are cheaper than the one used by the immediate past council Chairmen in the state.

The statement said further: “The vehicles in the Governors’ convoy, with the exception of two, belong  to the Governor himself and that means he has been very mindful of exravagant spending as exhibited by some past leaders in the state, which  has brought the state to the present pitiable situation.

“The People of the state are wondering why‎ some group of persons, who are members of All Progressive Congress, APC, have decided to constitute themselves to an opposition to the government in the state.

“One will be tempted to say that the attitude as well as the body language of the ‎Feleke group is evidence that they are blinded by their desperate moves to govern the state. If not so, they claimed to be part of the disciples of the late leader of APC in the state, Prince Abubakar Audu; why then have they not commented about the positive step taken by the Governor to name the State University after him?”, the state government asked.

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0 Comments

  1. Jerry E

    July 11, 2016 at 7:26 am

    Wicked politicians no fear of God wasting scarce resources, God will judge!

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