Kano Government Orders LGAs to Allocate N670M for Emir Sanusi’s Vehicles

The Kano State administration has instructed each local government area to provide N15.2 million, amounting to a total of N670 million, for the restoration and acquisition of new cars for Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II. This instruction, initially disclosed via a leaked document, has sparked various responses throughout the region. Daily Trust reports.

Yesterday, during discussions on this issue, the state government, via its Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Waiya, supported the directive. He maintained that it is part of regular administrative procedures and has historical precedence.

The formal communication issued on March 25 directed the 44 local government councils within the state to allocate resources to the Kano Emirate Council.

The report that gained widespread attention indicated that the deductions would be made directly from the State/Local Government Joint Account and transferred to SOTTOM SYNERGY RESOURCES LTD, a private firm tasked with providing new vehicles and renovating old ones.

The agreement encompasses the delivery of four brand-new vehicles along with the restoration of two classic ones. The document, named Authorization for Fund Disbursement, was endorsed by Abubakar S. Dabo, Director of Local Government Inspection, representing the Commissioner for Local Government Affairs.

"The directive has been issued to communicate the government’s agreement for releasing an overall amount of ₦15,227,272.72 per local government area… This fund is intended to cover the repairs of 2 units of vehicles and provide 4 additional vehicle units to the Kano Emirate Council via Sottom Synergy Resources Ltd," the letter indicated.

As per the detailed report, the allocated sum of N670 million includes funds for restoring two vintage cars—a 1969 Rolls Royce (DH 420) costing N25 million and a 1993 Cadillac Fleetwood Limousine priced at another N25 million. Additionally, this budget will cover the acquisition of four brand-new vehicles: a Toyota Land Cruiser VXR (model year 2024), valued at N268 million; a Toyota Prado (year 2024), listed at N156 million; a Toyota Hilux (also from 2024), set at N98 million; and finally, a Toyota Hiace Bus (from 2024) with an assigned cost of N98 million as well.

The memo also instructed all LGA chairpersons to ensure due process in the implementation of the project.

Criticism over spending priorities

The directive has sparked widespread anger among the public, notably on social media platforms, where numerous Nigerians have voiced their doubts about the government’s focus as they grapple with declining infrastructure and subpar social services at the grassroots level.

A user named @UncleAnass from X (previously known as Twitter), commented: "The issue with purchasing N670 million worth of vehicles for the Kano Emirate Council goes beyond the exorbitant sum; it also lies in the mandatory contributions demanded from local governments."

"Let Gov Abba use state resources to buy the cars for the emirate if he thinks that's a priority. But asking each local government to contribute N15 million for that purpose is unjustifiable.

"These local governments are suffering from dilapidated hospitals and schools, lack of potable water supply, and inadequate infrastructure, yet we tap from their hard-earned resources to fund our lavish lifestyle."

His worries were shared by numerous critics who condemned the action following a post made by Salihu Tanko Yakasai, a former spokesperson for Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. In the post, he included an image of the memorandum accompanied by this comment: "Every one of the 44 local government areas in Kano must contribute N15.2 million each, totaling N670 million to the Kano Emirate Council led by the so-called people’s Emir SLS. This money is meant for repairing and purchasing vehicles for His Highness through the initiative of the Kano state government. Truly, governance for the common man!"

The Kano government has defended its actions, stating that both Shekarau and Ganduje implemented similar measures.

Responding to the backlash, Kano State’s Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Waiya, stood behind the directive, stating, “This is just a standard procedure—nothing out of the ordinary. Such actions occur periodically within any governmental framework. Therefore, I fail to see why there should be such an uproar,” as reported by Waiya. Daily Trust .

Indeed, the emirate functions within the framework of the government, which offers comprehensive support for its management, with funding derived from local governmental assets. Such an arrangement is not without precedent.

For instance, during Shekarau's tenure, approximately 54 cars were acquired for all the district heads. Likewise, under Ganduje's leadership, vehicles were procured for the recently established emirates. So, what seems to be the problem then?

He contended that emirate councils lack their own income streams and depend completely on governmental funding.

These vehicles are exclusively meant for administrative duties. They are not designated for personal use by the Emir. Instead, they belong to the Emirate Council and, consequently, to the state government.

Waiya also mentioned a policy implemented during the Abacha administration that required 3% of local government revenues to be designated for traditional institutions. He noted that Kano has upheld this provision.

Regarding the appropriateness of the timing considering the current economic conditions, Waiya stated: “This move isn’t at all insensitive. Many of the vehicles utilized by the Emir are quite aged, which is why a considerable portion of the budget goes toward their restoration. The administration has aimed to allocate funds prudently.”

He further noted that the administration recently provided severance packages to ex-councillors, then posed the question sarcastically: "Does this too count as irresponsible expenditure?"

Like Kebbi, like Kano?

The developments have been likened to a previous controversy in Kebbi State, where Governor Nasir Idris encountered significant public criticism in October 2024 for presenting brand new Toyota Land Cruiser SUVs to the state’s four top-ranking traditional rulers.

Non-governmental organizations and local citizens condemned the move as inappropriate given the financial struggles and pervasive poverty. Additional anger arose when it was disclosed that comparable high-end cars were provided to legislators, commissioners, and other top officials through government money.

While some believed the intention was to honor traditional leaders, critics contended that both the timing and magnitude of this act were ill-conceived. Additionally, they raised concerns about why government funds weren’t allocated more wisely or channeled towards urgent public requirements.

It violates the rule of law - Dr Hayatu

Senior Lecturer Dr. Aminu Hayatu from the Department of Political Science at Bayero University, Kano, suggested that this instruction might violate legal principles.

"It’s more than just an issue of public opinion—it’s also a matter of law. If state leaders aren’t allowed to control municipal finances independently, this order could be violating constitutional rights," he stated.

Dr. Hayatu highlighted the recent Supreme Court decision supporting fiscal independence for local administrations, cautioning that circumventing established protocols undermines democratic principles and establishes a perilous example.

“If local administrations were permitted to discuss and willingly endorse these contributions via appropriately established committees that would ensure fair procedures. However, this seems more akin to coercion rather than collaboration,” he stated.

He pointed out that this kind of interference leads to subpar performance by local governments, since these bodies often cite insufficient financing as an excuse for delivering poor services.

"In the end, bypassing local administrations undermines Nigeria’s federal system. Without restraint, this might encourage additional state governments to do the same, thereby degrading the strength of institutions even more," he cautioned.

It's the peak of thoughtlessness - Ganduje's assistant

Salihu Tanko Yakasai, who serves as a media advisor to Ganduje, characterized the government's choice as "an extreme display of insensitivity and hypocrisy."

Speaking to Daily Trust Yakasai, who was also the Director-General of Media and Communications under Ganduje's administration, criticized the government for prioritizing matters incorrectly.

When Ganduje established new emirates and acquired vehicles, he faced criticism. Now others are doing the same—and even more extreme—actions under the pretense of administrative necessity.

"The state is facing its most severe water crisis ever recorded, but the current administration has opted to purchase new cars for the Emir instead. They do not consider it an urgent matter; they believe the existing vehicles remain operational," he stated.

Yakasai also raised doubts about why the funding originated from local governments instead of coming directly from the state government or the Emirate Council itself.

"The Emir, who positions himself as an advocate for the common people, ought to have directed the funds towards supplying water and essential facilities for them instead. This move would be more consistent with his publicly portrayed persona," he noted.

Misguided timing and contrary to what’s needed - Professor Fage

Prominent political commentator Professor Kamilu Sani Fage similarly condemned the action, describing it as poorly timed and detrimental to initiatives aimed at enhancing the independence of local governments.

He stated, 'This cannot be considered a priority centered around the needs of the people. The administration should have concentrated on programs that substantially affect citizens, particularly amid such financial difficulties.'

Aformer vice president of the Nigerian Political Science Association, Fage commented, “The timing is quite problematic. Following the recent affirmation of local government autonomy by the Supreme Court, this directive appears contradictory. It serves as a diversion and fosters unwarranted strain.”

Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. ( Syndigate.info ).

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