The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno, has gifted brand new luxury SUVs to all former deputy governors of the state. The gesture, announced on his official X handle, was described as a token of appreciation for their years of service and contributions.
In his post, Governor Eno said the vehicles were meant to honour their dedication:
“I presented brand new Land Cruisers to all former Deputy Governors of Akwa Ibom State as a token of appreciation for their years of service and sacrifice. Their dedication has helped shape our State’s progress, and it’s only fitting they enjoy comfort as they continue to share their wisdom with us.”
While the exact cost of the vehicles remains unclear, investigative checks by SaharaReporters revealed substantial government expenditure on similar purchases. Between January and September 2024, the Office of the Secretary to the State Government spent N1.6 billion acquiring 30 SUVs. Earlier, N3 billion had been budgeted for this purpose. In addition, another N3 billion was set aside for 70 saloon cars, with N3.6 billion spent within the same period. For 2025, the government budgeted N6 billion for various luxury vehicles.
The decision to present SUVs to former deputy governors has ignited criticism from citizens calling for greater prudence in government spending. On X, users expressed frustration, pointing to pressing issues such as unemployment and unpaid salaries.
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“You present brand new Land Cruisers to former deputy governors who already had cars and pensions while ignoring basic needs like jobs and industry development. This governance was a mistake,” @realsirpee wrote.
Another user said, “This is wastefulness at its peak. Money like this should go toward real development, not unnecessary gifts.” @Ovokiss added, “Former deputy governors served for a few years and get new Land Cruisers, yet retired civil servants who served decades can’t get their pensions. Absolutely nonsense.”
The gift of SUVs has sparked a wider debate on balancing appreciation for public service with responsible fiscal management in Akwa Ibom State