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Governors Under Fire for Approving N102bn on Lodges, SUVs While Citizens Struggle
At least 12 state governments have earmarked roughly ₦102 billion in their 2025 budgets for the upgrade of official lodges, offices, and the purchase of new fleets of Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) and other automobiles, investigations by Sunday PUNCH have shown.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The allocations cover extensive modernisation projects, technology upgrades of VIP suites and government lodges, as well as the procurement of vehicles such as Toyota Prado SUVs, Jeep models, Hilux pickups, Camry and Corolla sedans, among others.
These expenditures are reflected in the capital components of first‑quarter budget performance reports published on the official websites of the affected states: Lagos, Adamawa, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ekiti, Imo, Jigawa, Kebbi, Ondo, Taraba, and Yobe.
Lagos tops the list
Lagos leads the spending chart, with about ₦33 billion devoted to lodge upgrades and vehicle purchases.
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₦20.67 billion is set aside for backup vehicles for state lawmakers.
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₦11.04 billion goes to renovating the Assembly Complex.
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₦150 million is earmarked for repairs on the Speaker’s residence and guest house.
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Another ₦1.15 billion is allocated to upgrade state lodges in Alausa and Abuja.
Delta follows closely
Delta State budgeted ₦14.91 billion for similar projects:
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₦11.23 billion for 50 Toyota SUVs and 210 other vehicles for Government House.
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₦451.91 million for 10 official cars for Assembly staff.
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₦100 million for vehicles under the SSG/ad‑hoc bodies.
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₦200 million for 10 SUVs and five Corollas for former governors and a former deputy.
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₦200 million for five Hilux pickups.
For lodge renovations, ₦2.73 billion is spread across different locations, including:
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₦1.5 billion for government quarters in Asaba,
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₦250 million for Government House maintenance,
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₦250 million for office rehabilitation,
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₦100 million for the deputy governor’s lodge,
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₦100 million for the former Speaker’s quarters,
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₦205 million for lodges and guest houses in Abuja,
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₦100 million for lodges in Warri and Lagos,
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₦220.18 million for VIP guest house upkeep.
Taraba’s massive lodge plan
Taraba allocated ₦9.57 billion for executive lodge upgrades:
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₦2.4 billion for renovating the Government House and lodges in Jalingo,
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₦700 million for the Twin Hall Lodge,
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₦100 million for the Presidential Lodge Annex,
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₦1.17 billion for constructing and furnishing the deputy governor’s office and guest house,
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₦3 billion for lodges in Kakara, Wukari, Gembu, Serti, Takum, and Donga,
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₦800 million for Lodge 77 in Yola,
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₦300 million for Taraba Motel VIP lodge,
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₦400 million for general upgrades, and
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₦650 million for renovating and furnishing the head of service’s guest house.
Borno’s vehicle-heavy budget
Borno State’s allocation totals ₦7.75 billion, with ₦6.92 billion dedicated to vehicle procurement:
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₦5.4 billion for 50 vehicles (including Volkswagen wagons) for the Ministry of Finance,
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₦1 billion for two golf cars under Internal Security,
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₦200 million for one Hilux and two Corollas for Local Government,
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₦100 million for three Hilux for Health,
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₦80 million for five Hilux for Community Development,
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₦100 million for five vans for Information,
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₦35 million for five Hilux under the Ministry of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement.
For lodge-related projects, ₦830.5 million is allocated:
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₦30.5 million for two new lodges,
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₦200 million for repairs on 20 office buildings,
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₦100 million for the Assembly guest house,
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₦500 million for 60 staff quarters in the Government House.
Latest News
The Bulldozers Are Coming! Kano Targets Azman University In Massive Illegal Property Crackdown.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, has dismissed recent claims by 2027 presidential hopeful Peter Obi regarding Nigeria’s power generation goals. During an Arise Television interview, Onanuga clarified that Nigeria’s core electricity crisis stems from structural deficits—such as gas supply shortages, a $4 trillion legacy debt owed to suppliers, and an aging national grid—rather than a lack of generation capacity.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Onanuga noted that the nation already possesses an installed capacity of 13,500 megawatts, exceeding Obi’s promise to add 10,000 megawatts. He argued that the former governor lacks a clear understanding of the existing infrastructure limitations. Furthermore, Onanuga highlighted that the Tinubu administration is actively tackling these issues through the Electricity Act, which decentralizes power management, and the establishment of the Grid Asset Management Company Limited (GAMCO) to improve performance. He maintained that power generation has seen marked improvement since the current administration took office in May 2023.
President Bola Tinubu’s aide, Bayo Onanuga, has challenged Peter Obi’s pledge to increase Nigeria’s electricity generation by 10,000 megawatts within four years. In a recent interview, Onanuga stated that Obi’s plan ignores the reality that Nigeria’s installed capacity is already 13,500 megawatts—a figure that remains underutilized due to structural failures.
Onanuga identified the country’s primary obstacles as an outdated national grid, chronic gas supply issues, and a massive legacy debt of over ₦4 trillion owed to gas companies. He asserted that the current administration is addressing these systemic problems through legislative reforms, specifically citing the Electricity Act, which allows states to manage their own power generation, transmission, and distribution. Onanuga concluded that electricity output has already trended upward since May 2023 and that the government’s focus remains on optimizing existing assets rather than merely chasing higher capacity targets.
Bayo Onanuga is pushing back against Peter Obi’s recent promise to boost Nigeria’s power supply by 10,000 megawatts. According to President Tinubu’s spokesperson, the real issue isn’t a lack of capacity, but a broken system.
Onanuga pointed out that Nigeria already has 13,500 megawatts of installed capacity, most of which sits idle due to three main roadblocks:
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The Grid: Outdated infrastructure that cannot handle current demands.
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Gas Supply: A crippling lack of fuel for power plants.
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Legacy Debt: A massive ₦4 trillion debt pile-up owed to gas suppliers.
Onanuga credited the Tinubu administration with tackling these hurdles head-on, specifically through the new Electricity Act that empowers states to generate and distribute their own power. He insists that the sector is already performing better than it was in May 2023 and that the focus is on fixing the structural bottlenecks, not just expanding capacity.
Would you like me to focus on a specific aspect of this report, such as the economic implications or the political disagreement between the two figures?
Latest News
Court Orders Probe Of Leaked Video In Alleged Coup Plot Trial
On Tuesday, the Federal High Court in Abuja initiated an investigation into the unauthorized release of a video linked to the ongoing trial of six individuals accused of conspiring to topple President Bola Tinubu’s government.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Investigation into the Leaked Video
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Court Directive: Following a complaint from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), regarding a video statement that surfaced on the social media platform of influencer “VeryDarkMan” despite a court-imposed restriction, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ordered the Department of State Services (DSS) to conduct an inquiry.
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National Security Concerns: The DPP characterized the leak as a national security risk that prejudices the ongoing judicial proceedings, noting the video had already surpassed 6,000 views.
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Defense Stance: While defense counsel denied involvement in the leak, they held varying views on a probe; some welcomed an investigation, while others, like Sanusi Musa (SAN), cautioned against acting without formal evidence.
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Judicial Ruling: Invoking Section 232(5) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, Justice Abdulmalik mandated the DSS to identify and bring any responsible parties before the court, noting that such prosecution would be handled separately from the main coup trial.
Trial Testimony and Bail Proceedings
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Witness Testimony: A prosecution witness, an Army officer codenamed “DDD,” testified that the investigation was conducted by a multi-agency team—including the Army, DSS, DIA, and EFCC—and explicitly denied that the defendants were chained, coerced, or tortured during interrogation.
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Defense Challenges: During cross-examination, defense lawyers challenged the interrogation process, specifically noting the absence of family members or legal representation during the suspects’ questioning; however, the witness stated no such requests were made by the defendants.
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Bail Applications: The court heard bail arguments from the defense, which the DPP opposed; Justice Abdulmalik has reserved her ruling on these applications and adjourned the trial-within-trial for the first three defendants until June 25 and June 30.
Latest News
No Mercy! US Authorities Deport Nigerian Over “Violent Crimes” & Abuse Allegations!.
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Deportation of Nigerian National: A Nigerian citizen named Ayodeji Ajayi has been deported from the United States following a series of criminal convictions, which include domestic violence.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
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Immigration Status: According to a statement released by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on their official account, Ajayi had been living in the US illegally for nearly two decades after failing to depart the country following the expiration of his student visa.
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Criminal History: ICE reported that after abandoning his studies, Ajayi amassed a significant criminal record that includes convictions for domestic violence, trespassing, intimidation, and obstruction. Furthermore, his record includes charges involving kidnapping, rape, and family neglect.
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Administrative Context: ICE attributed the removal of Ajayi to the immigration enforcement policies of President Donald Trump, noting the administration’s commitment to deporting criminal undocumented immigrants.
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Missing Details: While the agency confirmed the deportation, they did not specify when it occurred, nor did they provide additional details regarding the jurisdictions of the convictions or the current status of his pending criminal charges.
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Policy Enforcement: This action reflects the ongoing efforts by the Trump administration to intensify enforcement and increase the number of removals of undocumented individuals with criminal backgrounds across the United States.
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