CBN Gov. Cardoso, 600LX bulletproof Lexus
By Victory Oghene
Some Nigerians have taken the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, to the cleaners over the alleged purchase of N10billion bulletproof cars.
According to a report, the CBN Governor and four deputy Governors acquired six ultra-modern armoured vehicles worth N10 billion amidst hardship being faced by Nigerians.
Recall that the Daily Nigerian on August 30, 2024, reported that Cardoso and deputy governors, Mr. Philip Ikeazor, Emem Nnan Usoro, Bala Bello, and Muhammad Sani Abdullahi purchased six armoured Lexus LX 600 2023.
The report stated that Cardoso acquired two bulletproof cars while the four deputies got one each.
Despite having SUVs in their convoy, the governors reportedly acquired the new cars.
Similarly, the governors had been alleged to have jacked up their housing allowances to over N1 billion.
However, three days after the report, the Spokesperson of CBN, Sidi Hakama has yet to confirm nor dismiss the claims.
Also, CBN has yet to speak on the matter on its official X handle, as well as website.
Olumide Bakare, a civil engineer based in Abuja said “This is the height of lack of empathy and insensitivity. The CBN Governors had functional SUVs in their convoys yet squandered N10 billion on new bulletproof cars. Is this part of the Renewed Hope and transformation Agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration?”
In the Sam’s vein, Musa Ibrahim said “I don’t why top public servants like to waste the tax payers’ money on frivolities. Can you imagine? A whopping N10billion wasted on bulletproof cars by public servants when majority of Nigerians are finding it difficult to afford three square meal. This is unacceptable”
Mrs Funmilola Adeoye, a businesswoman based in Lagos told NATIONAL WAVES that the government of the day seemed to have lost touch with the reality on ground and the people. She said “What explains this ostentatious lifestyles of our public servants at the detriment of the people. That huge amount would have been invested in Agriculture to ensure the prices of foodstuffs come down instead it was expended on flashy cars. This is sad”
Yakubu Lamai, a student based in Kano said “Our leaders do not govern by example. This government said we should bear the pains of the unfriendly policies. They keep telling us their will be light at the end of the tunnel yet they live a flamboyant lifestyles in the midst of hardship experienced by majority of the people. What an irony”
Speaking to NATIONAL WAVES correspondent in Lafia, Nasarawa State, Ahmed Abubakar, a farmer said “Nigerians will continue to experience hardship because of the insensitivity on part of our leaders. Imagine a CBN Governor spending that huge amount to acquire cars when many people are hungry and the prices of food are on the high side. Farmers are finding it difficult to access their farms due to insecurity and the priority of this CBN Governor is to purchase N10 billion on bulletproof cars. This is laughable”
“Lets call a spade a spade, this government is not keeping to its promises. N10 billion spent on the purchase of cars by the CBN Governor at a time when Nigerians are suffering due to harsh economic policies put in place by the government. I’m taken aback” said Louis Abang a construction worker based in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Another Nigerian, Joke Kujenya, while reacting to the development, wrote via WhatsApp “They’re all the same self-centered bunch at the expense of Nigeria. He should just remember that Emefiele is still dancing to his own music sha”
Reacting to the report that the Governor of the CBN and his deputy directors acquired N10 billion bulletproof cars, Mr. Sam Akpan, a veteran journalist and poultry farmer wrote via WhatsApp “What do you expect?, it has to be like father, like son now. He has learnt fast from his oga on top ooo.
It is on record that Cardoso’s Monetary Policy Committee has continued to tighten measures since appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on September 15, 2023.
The latest was the increase of interest rate to 26.75 percent in July 2024.
This development comes as the country’s inflation rate declined to 33.40 in July 2024 from 34.19 in June 2023.
However, despite the drop in inflation, the prices of goods have remained significantly high as the Naira to Dollar exchange rate stood at N1598.56 and N1645 in official and parallel foreign exchange markets on Friday.
