Days To Handover, Gov. Ishaku Approves N2bn To Purchase Vehicles For Self, Deputy, Wives

With less than a month to the end of his tenure, Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba State, has approved the sum of N2 billion to purchase luxury vehicles for himself, his deputy and their wives.

A Premium Times source said the approval was made during the last State Executive Council (SEC) meeting chaired by Ishaku.

“Governor Darius Ishaku in our last SEC meeting asked the council to approve a memo he presented for the purchase of vehicles for himself, his deputy and their wives and it was speedily approved without any argument,” the source said.

According to the source, it was argued at the meeting that since the governor and his deputy assumed office in 2015, they had been using old vehicles inherited from their predecessors and that they therefore deserve new vehicles as they prepare to step down.

The source furthered that going by the memo presented by the governor, he and his wife will get over N1.3 billion worth of exotic cars while his deputy and his wife will receive cars worth N750 million.

It was explained that by the proposal, the governor will get two Toyota Land Cruiser SUV, two escort Toyota Hilux and a utility vehicle while his wife will get a Land Cruiser SUV and an escort vehicle.

Haruna Manu, the deputy governor, in the same vein, will receive two lower versions of Land Cruiser SUV and one escort vehicle while his wife will get one SUV and a utility car.

However, when contacted, Lois Emmanuel, the State’s Commissioner for Information, did not deny or confirm the approval.

She said,
“I am not in the State. I travelled out. I am not aware, I will confirm,” she said, while terminating the call abruptly.

However, few hours later, she was seen at the commissioning of a housing project by the governor in Jalingo, the state capital.

Recall that Ishaku contested the last senatorial election to represent Taraba south but was defeated by the All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate, David Jim-Kuta.

His deputy, on the other hand, contested and won the Taraba Central Senatorial seat.