It has been revealed in the 2023 budget performance report of Kogi State that Governor Yahaya Bello spent the sum of N727,818,000 to purchase two Toyota buses for members of the State House of Assembly.
According to SaharaReporters, the money was spent without appropriation or approval by the Assembly members.
The report titled “KOGI STATE GOVERNMENT BUDGET PERFORMANCE REPORT QUARTER 3, 2023” published on the Kogi State government website has since sparked massive uproar on social media.
It was reported that Bello-led government spent extra N647.8million without appropriation to make the purchase and that the lawmakers had approved N80million for the purchase of the two Toyota buses in the 2023 budget.
“011200300100 – KOGI STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY Members’ 30 Seater two(2) Nos Toyota Bus N80,000,000.00 – N727,818,000.00 – N727,818,000.00,” the document read.
“Consultancy Expenses on Full Automation of Budget Process/Bello Care Financial Solution” has gulped N360,945,179.00 in the last 9 months. 022000100100 – MINISTRY OF FINANCE, BUDGET AND ECONOMIC PLANNING Consultancy Expenses on Full Automation of Budget Process/Bello Care Financial Solution. N450,000,000.00 – N360,945,179.00 80.2%.”
Also, N951,493,735.24 was spent on honorarium, refreshment, meals and welfare in the first nine months of 2023.
A total of N11,281,497.52 was reported to have been spent between January and September on burial expenses. The state lawmakers had allocated N64.5 million for such expenses in the budget.
As news of the budget made rounds, several Nigerians stunned by the expenses called for the arrest of the Governor.
Below are some reactions;
@tomi_waziri: They are criminals. Like if you’re not surprised.
@Oladapomikky1: I said it. Yaya Bello needs to go to jail right now.
He forced his cousin Ododo on the defenseless Kogites primarily for this reason.
@Ifysunshine12: Na so so food this people dey do for government house o
@Sunlov7: Criminals Everywhere in the country nawaoooo
@ChijiokeIke3: Anything APC is Criminal
Lagos, Imo, Kogi, who is next
@cute_pecky: Nigeria Democracy na scam!
