N15.13bn SUVs: Atiku demands procurement records from Tinubu

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has intensified his criticism of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration, demanding full disclosure on the proposed procurement of 39 Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) budgeted at N15.13 billion for 2026.

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Tracka’s analysis shows that N15.13bn was budgeted for the procurement of 39 SUVs. That translates to an astonishing N387m per vehicle.

Abubakar challenged the Federal Government to publish the Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs), commonly known as chassis numbers, along with other procurement details. He argued that transparency is essential to allay public suspicion surrounding what he described as an "extraordinary expenditure." This demand follows an analysis by the civic accountability organization Tracka, which reportedly found the budget allocates approximately N387 million per vehicle.

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If those vehicles have already been procured, the government should immediately publish the make, model, year of manufacture, supplier, contract details and the Vehicle Identification Number, popularly known as the chassis number, of each of the 39 vehicles.

In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Abubakar insisted that Nigerians deserve complete transparency in the procurement process. He stated, "If those vehicles have already been procured, the government should immediately publish the make, model, year of manufacture, supplier, contract details and the Vehicle Identification Number... of each of the 39 vehicles." He added that if the procurement is still ongoing, the government owes Nigerians an explanation for the delay nearly eight months into the fiscal year.

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If the procurement is still ongoing, Nigerians deserve to know why, nearly eight months into the fiscal year, such an expensive purchase has not been concluded.

Questioning the basis for the projected cost, Abubakar inquired whether the government intended to purchase some of the world's most expensive luxury SUVs, listing models like Rolls-Royce Cullinan and Bentley Bentayga. "If none of these ultra-luxury vehicles was purchased, then what exactly justifies such an extraordinary price tag?" he asked. Abubakar also questioned President Tinubu's role in approving such a budget, stating the President cannot distance himself from provisions in a spending plan he signed into law.

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If none of these ultra-luxury vehicles was purchased, then what exactly justifies such an extraordinary price tag?