Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has reportedly spent over N8.2 billion on luxury vehicles for himself and other government officials between January and September 2024, far exceeding the amount approved by the state’s legislature.
According to a budget performance report obtained by SaharaReporters, the funds were used for the purchase of 20 official vehicles under the supervision of the Secretary to the State Government. While the state legislature approved only N1 billion for the expenditure, an additional N7.2 billion was spent without budgetary authorization.
This unapproved spending violates Sections 80-83 of the Nigerian Constitution, which require legislative approval for all government expenditures. Legal experts describe unauthorized spending as unconstitutional and a breach of the rule of law. The financial report also shows that the average cost of each vehicle was N411 million.
In a related development, the state reportedly allocated N3 billion for wildlife conservation in the 2024 financial year, despite the absence of a zoo or similar facility. Of this amount, N1.1 billion was spent in nine months, raising questions about the transparency of the expenditure.
Governor Nwifuru has also faced criticism for his handling of workers’ demands for the implementation of the new national minimum wage of N70,000. Amidst a one-week strike by state workers led by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the governor threatened to sack those participating in the industrial action.
Nwifuru insisted that the National Assembly approved only a minimum wage, not a general salary increase, and gave striking workers a 72-hour ultimatum to return to work or face dismissal. The ultimatum followed a directive from the NLC’s national leadership for state councils to enforce the new minimum wage in non-compliant states.
These developments have sparked public outcry over perceived mismanagement of state resources and disregard for due process.
Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has reportedly spent over N8.2 billion on luxury vehicles for himself and other government officials between January and September 2024, far exceeding the amount approved by the state’s legislature.
According to a budget performance report obtained by SaharaReporters, the funds were used for the purchase of 20 official vehicles under the supervision of the Secretary to the State Government. While the state legislature approved only N1 billion for the expenditure, an additional N7.2 billion was spent without budgetary authorization.
This unapproved spending violates Sections 80-83 of the Nigerian Constitution, which require legislative approval for all government expenditures. Legal experts describe unauthorized spending as unconstitutional and a breach of the rule of law. The financial report also shows that the average cost of each vehicle was N411 million.
In a related development, the state reportedly allocated N3 billion for wildlife conservation in the 2024 financial year, despite the absence of a zoo or similar facility. Of this amount, N1.1 billion was spent in nine months, raising questions about the transparency of the expenditure.
Governor Nwifuru has also faced criticism for his handling of workers’ demands for the implementation of the new national minimum wage of N70,000. Amidst a one-week strike by state workers led by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the governor threatened to sack those participating in the industrial action.
Nwifuru insisted that the National Assembly approved only a minimum wage, not a general salary increase, and gave striking workers a 72-hour ultimatum to return to work or face dismissal. The ultimatum followed a directive from the NLC’s national leadership for state councils to enforce the new minimum wage in non-compliant states.
These developments have sparked public outcry over perceived mismanagement of state resources and disregard for due process.
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