Despite economic hardship and suffering, some state governors have yet to reduce the cost of governance, particularly in the number of vehicles in their convoys, findings by Sunday PUNCH have shown.
The governors, who are the major beneficiaries of the fuel subsidy removal which resulted in more revenues from federal allocations, have yet to adjust their extravagant lifestyles.
Cutting the cost of governance by political officeholders has been emphasised as a way to mitigate economic hardship.
On October 24, President Bola Tinubu restricted ministers and heads of agencies of the Federal Government to a maximum of three vehicles in their official convoys.
The president also ordered them to have a maximum of five security personnel as part of measures to reduce the cost of governance.
Investigations by our correspondents showed that many of the ministers have complied with the president’s directive.
However, some state governors have not done much to cut down on the cost of governance.
The luxury lifestyles of governors are noticeable in their convoys, as many retain large numbers of expensive vehicles.
Also, the travel expenses, cabinets, and political appointments of some governors have raised concerns about their readiness to reduce expenditures.
NASARAWA
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has a convoy of 15 vehicles, including the latest models of Chevrolet Jeep, Lexus, Toyota Land Cruiser and Prado.
The price of a brand new 2023 Chevrolet Jeep in Nigeria ranges between $35,000 and $70,000, while a brand new Lexus 2023 model costs between $47,000 and $90,000.
At N1,050/litre, at least N85,000 worth of fuel will be needed to fill the 81-litre tank capacity of the Chevrolet SUV, while filling up the Lexus 2023 model with a tank of 87 litres requires about N91,000. The two vehicles therefore will need N176,000 worth of fuel.
If other vehicles have at least 70-litre tanks, it will take N73,500 to fuel each of them. For the 13 vehicles in the convoy, at least N955,500 of fuel will be needed. The entire convoy will then require at least N1.1m worth of petrol, which could last for a few days or a week.
A resident of Lafia Local Government Area of the state, Agatha Locombu, expressed dismay at the large convoy of the governor amidst prevailing hardship.
Agatha said, “The vehicles being used by politicians are too many. You can imagine a governor having a convoy of over 15 vehicles in this hard time. It is not the right thing to do.
“Here in Nasarawa State, our governor has numerous SUVs in his convoy, and sometimes, I imagine how much the state government spends to maintain the vehicles when the masses can barely afford three square meals a day.”
But the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Sule on Public Affairs, Peter Ahemba, said the governor had been prudent with the state’s resources.
“He is one of the governors who have refused to travel on chartered planes, unlike other governors. All these are targeted at cutting the cost of governance,” he added.
ADAMAWA
Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, maintains a convoy of 15 vehicles, including six Toyota Prado (2024 model) being sold between $62,830 and $100,665 each.
The fuel tank capacity of each of the Prado is between 87 litres and 150 litres. This means any of the brands will gulp between N91,350 and N157,500 worth of fuel at a time.
With at least 70-litre tanks in each of the other nine vehicles, it will take N73,500 to fuel each SUV and a total of N661,500 worth of fuel for the vehicles.
Some of the governor’s aides, who were contacted by Sunday PUNCH for comment, declined to speak on the grounds that they were not permitted to talk to journalists.
Besides, the governor also has 80 aides, with 24 commissioners and 57 heads of commissions.
Fintiri had earlier appointed 47 media aides, followed by 30 advisers, 45 senior special assistants, 37 principal special assistants and 21 special assistants in 2023.
ZAMFARA
The Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, uses a 2025 BMW 760i series being sold at N197,807,247.76 as of September this year.
The V-8 car has a fuel tank of 73.81553 litres (19.5 gallons). At N1,050 fuel pump price (in Abuja), it is estimated that the governor will use N78,000 to fill his car tank, paid for by taxpayers.
In the governor’s convoy are also Lexus and Toyota SUVs numbering about eight, and five Hilux in a video seen on by Sunday PUNCH.
The 13 other vehicles in the governor’s convoy will be fuelled at the cost of N949,000 at a 70-litre capacity per vehicle.
DELTA
Governor Sheriff Oboreveori of Delta State has over 15 vehicles in his convoy as sighted by Sunday PUNCH.
Our correspondent observed that the convoy included a Lexus SUV 2023 model, which the governor bought shortly after he assumed office.
The price of the governor’s official vehicle goes for between $47,000 and $90,000, depending on the trim.
With a litre of petrol being sold for about N1,050 per litre, it will cost about N155,000 to fill the 110-litre tank capacity of the SUV.
Besides, the governor also has a Mercedes 580 being used as a backup. This vehicle has a 76-litre tank and it takes N79,800 to fuel it.
The 12 other vehicles in the governor’s convoy will be fuelled at the cost of N822,000 at a 70-litre capacity per vehicle.
Findings from auto dealers revealed that the price of the car is between $147,441 and $198,300.
Other vehicles in the governor’s convoy include those for protocol aides, anti-bomb personnel, chief security officer, police, Department of State Services, two buses for media, and one medical bus, among others.
PLATEAU
The Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has a convoy of 12 vehicles in his convoy.
Mutfwang uses Lexus 600 2023 SUV and Range Rover 2023 models.
Other vehicles in his convoy include Toyota Land Cruisers and Prado, a pilot Hilux, an ambulance, and a bus for the press crew, among others.
The Lexus SUV goes for $90,815.
The prices of the other vehicles go for between $83,000 and $121,500.
With N1,050 per litre, the Lexus with 80-litre tank capacity will be fuelled at N84,000, while the Range Rover will gulp N94,500 worth of fuel.
If the 10 other vehicles have at least 70 litres tank each, it will take N735,000 to fuel them.
KATSINA
Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State has 11 vehicles in his convoy, while his deputy, Faruk Jobe, has four.
Aside from his Lexus LX 570, the governor also has Prado, Toyota Land Cruisers, and two buses (for press crew and new media).
According to an online price survey, the price of the Lexus LX 570 ranged from $86,930 to $91,930, depending on the year and specs.
With a fuel tank capacity of 93.12113, it takes N98,000 to fill the tank at N1050 per litre.
The average fuel tank of a Prado is between 80 and 110 litres, meaning that between N84,000 and N115,000 will be used to fuel the vehicles.
In Jobe’s convoy are official Lexus CX. R, J560, Land Cruiser, and two Prados.
The prices of the Lexus CX. R, J560 ranged from $37,515 to $141,350, depending on the trim and options.
LAGOS
Findings by our correspondents showed that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has 11 vehicles in his convoy, including his Land Cruiser 409 TT.
Among the vehicles in Sanwo-Olu’s convoy sighted at two different times while on official engagements are six SUVs, one ambulance, two Hilux vehicles (for security personnel) and two buses for the press crew.
Also, the governor’s convoy has two BMW motorcycles that usually lead the convoy.
According to a market survey, Sanwo-Olu’s Land Cruiser 409 TT is being sold for between $105,940 and $139,000 as of the time of filing this report.
The governor’s Land Cruiser has a 110-litre tank capacity and fuelling the vehicle at N1,050 per litre will cost N115,500.
OSUN
Findings revealed that Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke’s convoy consists of 11 vehicles, including an ambulance and backup.
Adeleke uses two Lexus LX 600 SUVs, with a 2023 model costing $90,815 and a 2024 model costing $93,915, excluding destination fees.
The wife of the governor, Titilola Adeleke, usually has four vehicles in her convoy.
Also, a review of the budget performance documents in the state revealed that the state spent N527m on refreshments and meals between January and September 2024.
But the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment in the state, Kolapo Alimi, said the amount was expended on transportation, accommodation and event organisation.
BORNO
Sunday PUNCH observed that the Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, rides a 2021 Lexus LX 570, being sold between N90m and N120m depending on the location and specification.
The LX is powered by a 5.7-litre V8 engine, with a fuel tank capacity of 93 litres that requires N97,650 to fill.
It was observed that the governor moves in not less than 11 vehicle convoy.
Zulum also has 19 commissioners and 168 aides comprising nine Senior Technical Assistants, 81 Senior Special Assistants and 78 Special Assistants.
OGUN
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has 10 vehicles in his convoy.
The governor uses two Lexus SUVs, three Hilux vehicles for security operatives, the press crew bus, one ambulance sometimes and a Sienna space bus for the aides.
Sunday PUNCH gathered that the convoy of the deputy governor are not more than five with two SUV Lexus, while one serves as a backup, the press crew bus, and two Hilux vehicles for security and protocol.”
KANO
There are no fewer than 10 vehicles in the convoy of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State.
Findings by Sunday PUNCH showed that there were five Toyota SUVs, three Hilux vehicles and two buses in the convoy.
The governor uses Lexus LX 570 being sold for between $86,930 and $91,930, depending on the trim. It has a 93.1 fuel tank capacity that requires N98,000 worth of petrol to fill.
SOKOTO
The Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, has five SUVs and other vehicles in his convoy.
Two of the SUVs are Lexus 2023 models with each of them costing between $49,950 and $90,000.
The governor also has in his convoy three Toyota Prado with each costing nothing less than N150m.
The Toyota Lexus SUVs consume about 180 litres while the Toyota Prado consumes about 100 litres of fuel.
Also, the Deputy Governor, Muhammad Gobir, has about three SUVs in his convoy.
Each of the 25 commissioners in the state also use Prados.
This is apart from another set of vehicles given to about 40 special advisers.
Meanwhile, the governor recently distributed the Toyota Corolla (2006) to some of his Senior Special Assistants as official vehicles.
ONDO
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has between five and eight vehicles in his convoy.
The vehicles include the governor’s bulletproof SUV, two pilot Hilux, another SUV for security, an ambulance and a bus for the media.
Aiyedatiwa usually attends functions with between five and eight vehicles within and outside the state.
EKITI
The convoy of Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, is made up of between four and six vehicles.
The vehicles include the governor’s Toyota Landcruiser and other Toyota products being used by security operatives and the media.
BENUE
In Benue, Governor Hyacinth Alia spends huge amounts of money on frequent foreign trips, just as he keeps a large convoy, including the latest bulletproof 2023 Lexus Jeep which is reportedly worth N500m.
According to a government official, the governor has jetted out of the country three times in the last few weeks.
In the past few weeks, the governor has embarked on foreign trips thrice. First, was a trip to attend the United Nations General Assembly, though as part of the vice president’s entourage. But, he decided to have offside engagements which made him spend more days.
Barely a week after he returned, he jetted out to the United Arab Emirates to attend the 2024 Gitex Global Summit.
As of the time of filing this report, the governor is in China, attending the 136th session of China Import and Export Fair Exhibition.
However, the Technical Adviser to the governor on Publicity and Media Strategy, Solomon Iorpev, said all the trips of the governor in recent times were for the benefit of the state.
“The convoy of the governor is devoid of the usual luxury of a flashy and long convoy. The point is that the so-called long convoy was caused by the appointees of the governor who like to join him in any official engagement within the state,” he added.
BAYELSA
Sunday PUNCH gathered that the Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has 29 commissioners, 109 technical advisers, and about 700 senior special assistants.
Some top government officials said the governor’s last two trips gulped huge sums of money.
Diri has a N1.134bn budget for food, refreshment/nourishment for his office in 2024.
KADUNA
The Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has maintained a large team of 80 aides and 14 commissioners, according to Sunday PUNCH’s findings.
Uba, who didn’t change the official vehicles left behind by his predecessor, Nasir el-Rufai, has in his fleet of cars, a Lexus 460 model (2022), and another that he “rarely” uses.
A Lexus 460 model goes for between $45,353 and $59,473 in the car market.
Other vehicles in the governor’s convoy include two BMW X5 motorbike outriders and several Toyota Hilux vans for police escorts and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps operatives.
JIGAWA
The convoy of the Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar Namadi, consists of a minimum of eight vehicles, including for press, security, and other permanent entourage members.
Sunday PUNCH gathered that the governor’s official vehicle is a Toyota Land Cruiser SUV 7th anniversary edition.
Market survey shows that the SUV goes for between $57,900 and $63,900.
GOMBE
Governor Muhammadu Yahaya of Gombe state uses Toyota Land Cruiser SUVs, while his commissioners and special advisers use GAC sport utility vehicles.
KWARA
Amid economic hardship, the Kwara State Government has spent a total of N922m on the presidential lodge and guest chalets.
A report on the budget performance of the state between January and September 2024 revealed that it budgeted N1bn for the lodge and guest chalets, while the government did not spend anything on water facility repairs and rehabilitation that has a N700m budget.
However, unlike most of his colleagues, the state Governor, Mallam AbdulRaman AbdulRazaq, attends official and private assignments in a convoy of few vehicles, sometimes less than five.
Sunday PUNCH gathered that AbdulRazaq rides in a 2024 bulletproof Toyota Hilux, estimated at over N200m, while the Deputy Governor, Kayode Alabi, rides a 2022 Toyota Prado estimated at N120m.
YOBE
In the first nine months of 2024, the Yobe State Government spent N2.6bn on honorarium and refreshments, according to a budget performance report.
The state also spent N1.2bn on the construction of chalets at a presidential lodge in the same period under review.
According to the report posted to the state’s website, a total of N600m was expended on three generators between January and September 2024.
Also, a sum of N1.1bn was used to purchase stoves and cooking gas for distribution to the public to reduce pressure on fragile ecosystems, deforestation, and emission of GHGs.
TARABA
A total sum of N2.6bn was spent on office furniture and fittings by the Taraba State Government between January and September 2024, according to the budget performance report of the period.
However, the state spent N1.7bn on the rehabilitation/repairs of public schools, and N617m on the rehabilitation/repairs of agricultural facilities.
But Emmanuel Bello, the Special Adviser on Media and Digital Communications to Governor Agbu Kefas, denied the report, saying it was untrue.
“Which office was furnished with such an amount? How much does the state get each month? How is the governor able to pay for free education? How have we kept our obligations to servicing loans and debts of the past?” he queried.
CROSS RIVER
According to the third-quarter budget performance of Cross River, the state spent N5.5bn on the procurement of vehicles between January and September 2024.
This means that the state spent 46.6 per cent of its N32.4bn Internally Generated Revenue on vehicles.
EBONYI
Even without a public zoo, the Ebonyi State Government claimed to have spent a sum of N1.1bn on wildlife conservation between January and September this year.
A total of N3bn was budgeted for wildlife conservation in the state.
However the state government denied the report, stating that the amount was for contingency, not wildlife conservation.
“First, the amount N1.1bn recorded against wildlife conservation is an amount meant for contingency items which the approved budget has coded under Margin for Increase in Cost and not wildlife conservation,” the state Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Jude Okpor, said.
Report by:
Ismaeel Uthman, Adeyinka Adedipe, Bola Bamigbola, Samuel Ese, Bankole Taiwo, Chima Azubuike, John Charles, Faith Maji, Salisu Ismail, Matthew Ochei, Collins Agwam, Isah Ojo, Chima Azubuike, Emmanuel Ande, Tukur Muntari, Animasahun Salman, Ahmed Amshi, Salisu Ismail, Peter Dada, Sunday Nwakanma, Abiodun Nejo, John Charles, Altine Maiharaji, Godwin Isenyo, Chima Azubuike and Gbenga Odogun.