ABUJA-AUGUST 01- 2025 The Peoples Democratic Party in Jigawa State has criticised the government over its recent acquisition of a new fleet of luxury vehicles for Governor Umar Namadi’s convoy, describing the move as wasteful and insensitive.
In a statement released on Thursday in Dutse, the state capital, the PDP’s State Publicity Secretary, Umar Kyari, said the purchase reflected a disregard for the plight of the people, who had been grappling with worsening economic conditions.
According to Kyari, “The acquisition is an insult to the sensibilities of the suffering masses of Jigawa State and a clear demonstration of the current administration’s insensitivity and detachment from the harsh economic realities faced by its citizens.”
The opposition party labelled the move as “reckless extravagance” and accused the Namadi-led government of displaying “a blatant disregard for fiscal prudence and the welfare of the people.”
The PDP noted that this was not the first time the state government had engaged in such spending.
“Before assuming office, the governor and his deputy were beneficiaries of a fleet of expensive vehicles.
“In 2024, the government further depleted public funds by acquiring another set of high-end luxury vehicles, including Lexus SUVs, Toyota Land Cruiser SUVs, and a Maybach Mercedes-Benz,” the statement read.
The party questioned the rationale behind repeated acquisitions of luxury vehicles, especially in a state it described as one of the poorest in the country, plagued by high poverty and unemployment rates, poor healthcare facilities, and a struggling education system.
“Our communities are yearning for basic amenities, improved infrastructure, and genuine empowerment initiatives,” the statement continued.
Rather than addressing the challenges, the PDP said the government “continues to prioritise ostentatious displays of wealth and comfort for a select few at the expense of the collective,” calling the trend a “demonstration of misplaced priorities.”
The PDP called on the government to immediately halt what it termed “profligate spending” and to redirect resources towards programmes that would directly benefit the people.
The party also demanded full transparency and accountability on the recent and previous vehicle purchases.
“We urge the good people of Jigawa State to continue to hold this government accountable and demand judicious utilisation of public funds,” Kyari added.
The statement reaffirmed the PDP’s commitment to advocating responsible governance, fiscal discipline, and leadership that prioritises the welfare of the masses over personal luxury.
Efforts to get a response from the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Hamisu Gumel, were unsuccessful as calls to his phone line went unanswered.
Similarly, attempts to contact the state Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Aminu Sani Gumel, on Thursday, failed.
Calls to his known number were not returned, and a visit by our correspondent to the APC State Secretariat in Dutse yielded no results, as no official was available to respond.
The SUMMITPOST reports that the alleged acquisition has sparked public outrage in Jigawa, with many citizens questioning the justification for such spending in the face of widespread poverty.
The PDP’s statement adds to growing criticism of the government’s fiscal priorities.