Unveiling the Controversy: Kano State Doles Out ₦670m for Emir's Vehicles
Local government units in Kano State are mandated to pool together about 670 million Nigerian Naira for the acquisition of vehicles for Emir Sanusi.
In a shocking turn of events, the Kano State government has ordered each of the 44 local government areas to shell out an astounding ₦15,227,272.72, amounting to a whopping ₦670m, to the Kano Emirate Council. This staggering sum allegedly aims to repair vehicles and purchase new ones for the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi.
The order, hidden in a memo from the Ministry of Local Government with reference number MLG/INSP/LGD/166T/6, dated March 25, 2025, was delivered to all local government chairmen. A palace source, who spoke to Punch, acknowledged the memo's legitimacy.
"The machinery has been set in motion, and arrangements are underway to bring in the vehicles and start restoring the vintage ones," the source revealed.
According to the memo signed by the Director of Local Government Inspection, Abubakar S. Dabo, on behalf of the Commissioner for Local Government, the approved amount will be deducted from the State/Local Government Joint Account. The intended funds would be used to repair two vehicles and buy four new vehicles for the Emirate Council.
The letter, labeled "Conveyance of Approval for the Release of Funds," obtained by the publication reads, "I am instructed to convey government's approval for the release of the aggregate sum of ₦670,000,000.00 at the rate of ₦15,227,272.72 per LGA from the State/Local Government Joint Account to repair 2 No. vehicles and supply 4 No. vehicles to the Kano Emirate Council through Sottom Snergy Resources Ltd as per below:
"Complete refurbishing of engine, body, and interior of 1993 Fleetwood Cadillac limousine at N25 million and complete refurbishing and rebuilding of both engine, interior, and complete body for Daimler D5 420 1998 at N25m.
"The new vehicles to be purchased are one Toyota Hilux pickup 2024 model at N98 million, one Toyota Hiace Bus at N98 million, one Toyota Land Cruiser VXR full option 2024 model at N268 million, and one Prado 2024 model at N156m."
The letter was also forwarded to the Auditor General, Local Government Audit, Kano State, and all Zonal Inspectors, Ministry for Local Government, Kano State. It emphasized the importance of adhering to all due procedures.
Behind the Scenes:
While giving traditional institutions financial aid is not unheard of in Nigeria, the deduction of N15.2 million per LGA from the State/Local Government Joint Account for non-essential expenses like high-end vehicles has sparked debate. Such direct financial aid to lavish expenditures lacks clarity and has been a source of contention historically[1][3][4].
Financial Strain on LGAs
Local governments, which are tasked with grassroots development projects like healthcare and education, could face budget constraints due to resource diversion from essential initiatives[1][5].
Accountability Concerns
The funds being channeled through a private company, Sottom Synergy Resources Ltd, raises questions about the procurement's transparency and regulatory oversight[3][4].
Public Criticism
The focus on luxury vehicles, including the renovation of a 1969 Rolls Royce and Cadillac limousine, goes against Nigeria's prevailing economic hardships, potentially causing public trust erosion[5].
Potential Precedent
This move signals a tension between traditional institution financing and development needs, potentially setting a precedent for similar directives in other states[1][5].
In the face of mounting dissent[5], the state government's silence adds complexity to the situation, reiterating the need for clearer accountability standards in intergovernmental financial exchanges.
- The controversy over Kano State's allocation of ₦670 million to the Kano Emirate Council for the repair and purchase of vehicles for the Emir, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi, has sparked a heated debate amidst budget constraints faced by local governments.
- A memo directed to all local government chairmen in Kano State instructed the release of the funds from the State/Local Government Joint Account to Sottom Snergy Resources Ltd, causing concerns about transparency and regulatory oversight due to the procurement process.
- The diversion of resources meant for essential initiatives such as healthcare and education in local governments may lead to budget constraints, as highlighted in historical debates on direct financial aid to non-essential expenditures.
- The refurbishing of a 1993 Fleetwood Cadillac limousine and a 1998 Daimler D5 at a combined cost of ₦50 million and the purchase of high-end vehicles like a 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser VXR and a 2024 Prado in the midst of Nigeria's economic hardships has raised public trust erosion concerns.
- The potential precedent set by such directives in other states, if unchecked, may cause tension between traditional institution financing and development needs, bringing the need for clearer accountability standards in intergovernmental financial exchanges to light.
- The silence of the state government in the face of mounting dissent further complicates the situation, emphasizing the importance of addressing these accountability concerns and fostering public trust in such financial exchanges within Nigeria's political and policy-and-legislation landscape.
