PHOTOS: Amid hardship, Bauchi gov gifts emirs multi-million naira SUVs

As hunger and anger rage across Nigeria and Bauchi State, resulting in destructive and deadly mass demonstrations by young people earlier this month, Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has presented multi-million naira exotic Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) to the six first-class emirs in the state.

According to the 2021/2022 Nigeria Multidimensional Poverty Index, Bauchi had 5.7 million residents who were multidimensionally poor.

The state ranked behind Kano (10.51), Kaduna (8.04), Katsina (6.92), Sokoto (5.81), Jigawa (5.76), Bauchi (5.71), with Akwa Ibom (5.08) from the South.

During his expanded security stakeholders’ meeting held at the Exco Chamber on Monday, August 5th, amid the #EndBadGovernance protest, the Governor acknowledged the level of hunger and anger, criticising the Federal Government’s economic policies and accusing President Bola Tinubu of failing to address the grievances of the protesting youths.

Mohammed further accused the Tinubu-led government of exacerbating the hardship faced by Nigerians, stating, “It is not working and he should review his policies.”

While distributing the new GMC Yukons, valued at over N91 million each, he explained that the vehicles would facilitate better monitoring and improve the safety of communities.

He pledged to further modernise the palaces of the traditional rulers and ensure their well-being.

“The gift of these vehicles will ease traffic and enhance the traditional rulers’ capacity to support our efforts in safeguarding lives and property,” Mohammed said.
Rauf Oyewole, Bauchi