Aso Rock Spends ₦244M on Tyres in a Single Day: Presidential Extravagance or Necessary Investment?
In a jaw-dropping revelation, Aso Rock—the seat of Nigeria’s government—has splurged a staggering sum of ₦244,654,350 on tyres in just one day. Daily Trust’s investigation, fueled by data from the GovSpend portal, exposed this extravagant expenditure.
The spending spree occurred shortly before President Bola Tinubu’s government marked its first year in office. Tinubu, who took over from his predecessor Muhammadu Buhari on May 29, 2023, now faces scrutiny over this lavish outlay.
The extravagant expenditure of ₦244,654,350 on tyres by Aso Rock in a single day has raised eyebrows and sparked discussions across Nigeria. Here’s a closer look at the situation:
1. Tyre Payments: On May 21, 2024, the State House made substantial payments for tyres:
– Bulletproof Vehicle Tyres: A whopping N200,583,390 was spent on bulletproof vehicle tyres.
– Armoured Bulletproof Tyres: An additional N38,070,000 went toward five armoured bulletproof tyres supplied to Obi-Wealth Enterprises Nigeria Limited (RC-640684).
– Westlake Tyres: Hommy & Fay Investments Limited handled the supply of unspecified Westlake tyres (315/80R22) for N6,000,960.
2. Inactive Company: Obi-Wealth Enterprises Nigeria Limited, the recipient of the armoured bulletproof tyres, is currently inactive according to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) records. This raises concerns about transparency and accountability.
3. Presidential Silence: Despite the eye-popping expenditure, attempts to seek reactions from the presidency have been met with silence. Calls to the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, remain unanswered.
4. Apology Amid Hardship: Minister of Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu, issued an apology to Nigerians 24 hours after the tyre payments. He defended the Tinubu-led government’s policies, emphasizing the need for macroeconomic stability despite currency crises and inflation.
5. Inflation Woes: Nigeria’s inflation has soared to a 28-year high, exacerbating the cost of living. Critics attribute this to President Tinubu’s policies.
6. Frivolous Spending or Necessary Investment?: While some decry the administration’s “frivolous spending,” others argue that these expenses are essential for economic stability.
7. Backlash and Sacrifice: President Tinubu’s call for sacrifice previously sparked backlash. Nigerians question whether the sacrifices are being reciprocated by prudent financial decisions.
8. Broken Promises: Dr. Abdulsalam Kani highlights unfulfilled promises, including the delayed Port Harcourt refinery production. Despite removing fuel subsidies and increasing electricity tariffs, critical projects remain pending.
The verdict remains uncertain: Is this a necessary investment or a display of extravagance? Only time—and perhaps further investigative reporting—will reveal the truth. 📰🔍 .
