Kano govt directs 44 LGAs to contribute N670m for Emir Sanusi’s vehicles

The Kano State government has reportedly instructed all 44 local government areas to contribute N15,227,272.72 each, amounting to a total of N670m, for the Kano Emirate Council.

The funds are intended for the refurbishment and acquisition of vehicles for the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi.

This directive was outlined in an official memo from the Ministry of Local Government, dated March 25, 2025, and addressed to the local government chairmen.

A source within the Emir’s palace confirmed the legitimacy of the memo, stating that a company has been engaged and arrangements are underway to procure new vehicles and restore vintage ones.

The memo, signed by Abubakar S. Dabo, Director of Local Government Inspection, on behalf of the Commissioner for Local Government, specifies that the approved amount will be deducted from the State/Local Government Joint Account to facilitate the purchase of four new vehicles and the refurbishment of two existing ones for the Emirate Council.

The letter, with the caption, “Conveyance of Approval for the Release of Funds,” sighted by The PUNCH read: “I am directed to convey government’s approval for the release of the aggregate sum of N670,000,000.00 at the rate of N15,227,272.72 per LGA from the State/Local Government Joint Account to repair 2 No. vehicles and supply 4 No. vehicles to the Kano Emirate Council through Sottom Snergy Resources Ltd as per below:

“Complete refurbishing of engine, body and interior of 1993 Fleetwood Cadillac limousine at N25 million and complete refurbishing and rebuilding of both engine, interior and complete body for Daimler D5 420 1998 at N25m.”

The new vehicles to be purchased are one Toyota Hilux pickup 2024 model at N98 million, one Toyota Hiace Bus at N98 million, one Toyota Land Cruiser VXR full option 2024 model at N268 million and one Prado 2024 model at N156m.”

The letter, which was also copied to the Auditor General, Local Government Audit, Kano State and all Zonal Inspectors, Ministry for Local Government, Kano State, directed them to ensure that all due procedures were strictly adhered to.

Reacting, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Alhassan Yaryasa, slammed the government for approving the money.

He said, “How can the state government approve this huge amount of money while the residents of the state capital and some other major towns in the state are grappling with water scarcity?

“This is a complete misplacement of priority. How can you spend this money on repairs and purchase of new vehicles for the Emir while other sectors need government attention, especially education and health sectors that have suffered neglect?”

Yaryasa, who was the former coordinator of Tinubu Campaign Organisation for Kano South, called on Governor Abba Yusuf to reconsider the decision and channel the funds to areas where they would be needed most.

“Emir Sanusi does not need new posh cars. Where are the ones he has been using since returning? This is a wasteful expenditure and Kano masses will not forgive them,” he said.

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