By Sabiu Abdullahi
Civil society organisations have unleashed strong criticism against Governor Nasiru Idris of Kebbi State following his decision to bestow brand new SUVs upon members of the state House of Assembly, executive members, and heads of parastatals.
The move, initially perceived as a gesture of appreciation, has ignited widespread condemnation due to its ill-timed nature amidst prevalent economic hardship and hunger among residents.
Comrade Ibrahim Ngaski, Secretary of the Coalition of Civil Society in the state, articulated the collective sentiment, noting that while the governor’s intent might have been noble, the gratuitous distribution of the vehicles, funded by taxpayers’ money, is contentious.
He advocated for either monetizing the vehicles or deducting their cost from the recipients’ transport allowances to ensure prudent use of public funds.
Ngaski also underscored the populace’s discontent with the timing, stating that the distribution of luxury vehicles to government officials fails to address the pressing needs of ordinary citizens struggling to make ends meet.
Gurusa Abubakar, Secretary of the Civil Liberties Organisation, echoed this disappointment, stating that the gesture fell short of people’s expectations, stating their desire for essential services like stable electricity rather than lavish gifts to already affluent individuals.
In the midst of this outcry, Abubakar Aliyu, a vulcanizer in Birnin Kebbi, expressed his disillusionment, highlighting the disparity between the officials’ windfall and the citizens’ dire circumstances.
Governor Idris defended his actions, asserting that the vehicles were essential tools to facilitate officials’ duties, citing previous allocations to security agencies and commissioners.
However, he faced further scrutiny as critics questioned the necessity of such extravagance amidst the state’s challenges.
In response to mounting criticism, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ahmed Idris, clarified that the vehicles were not gifts but rather loans extended to officials to enhance their operational efficiency.