Governor gives self, deputy, wives exotic cars as parting gift

With less than three weeks to the end of his tenure in office, Governor of Taraba State, Darius Ishaku, has approved the sum of N2bn for the purchase of luxury vehicles for himself, his deputy and their wives.

A source in the know, said the approval was made during the last State Executive Council (SEC) meeting chaired by Gov. 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.

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Gov. Ishaku and his deputy were said to have been using old vehicles inherited from their predecessors since the assumed office in 2015.

According to the source, the memo presented at the SEC will see the governor, and his wife get over N1.3 billion worth of exotic cars while his deputy and his wife will receive cars worth N750 million.

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.

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

When contacted, the state’s Commissioner for Information, Lois Emmanuel, did not deny or confirm the approval.

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

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.