The governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Bello, has been the talk of the town on social media lately, not for any political milestone, but for his extravagant car purchase.
According to reports, the governor recently acquired a N70 million ($172,413 USD) bulletproof Cadillac Escalade. The news has sparked outrage from many Nigerians, who have been criticizing the governor for his lack of prioritization.
The Kogi state governor has been under fire over the last few months for his administration’s lackluster approach to the development of the state. Kogi state is one of the most impoverished states in Nigeria, with a significant percentage of its citizens living in poverty. Despite this, Governor Bello has chosen to invest in an opulent vehicle instead of providing basic amenities such as good roads, hospitals, and schools.
In a recent post on social media, a citizen of Kogi State, One Vote, lamented the state of infrastructure in the state, saying, “In kogi state you will drive 350km, without sighting a single school nor health care, yet the governor sees it fit to acquire such an expensive vehicle. We must find a way as a nation to reduce the powers of “a”Governor.”
The outrage caused by the governor’s acquisition has also spread to other states in Nigeria, with many people calling for the government to hold elected officials accountable for their actions. Nigerians have taken to social media to express their frustration and demand better governance from their leaders. Some are calling for the governor to sell the car and use the proceeds to develop the state’s infrastructure.
The situation has become so tense that some Nigerians are starting online petitions calling on the EFCC to investigate the governor’s lavish car purchase. They said the petitions will say that the purchase is a clear example of financial recklessness and the governor must be held accountable for his actions.
It is worth noting that Governor Bello is not the first Nigerian governor to purchase a luxury vehicle while the state is still lacking in basic amenities. However, his N70 million Cadillac Escalade purchase is the latest in a series of actions that have led Nigerians to question the leadership of the governor.