ILORIN, Kwara State — Public outrage has trailed the breakdown of the 2026 Kwara State Appropriation Bill, which was recently passed by the State House of Assembly. According to budget analysts and trending reports, the state has earmarked a staggering ₦10.3 billion for the purchase of motor vehicles, a figure that dwarfs several key development sectors.
The Breakdown: Vehicles vs. Critical Infrastructure
The 2026 budget, titled the “Budget of Consolidation and Sustained Growth,” was hiked by the House of Assembly to ₦656.5 billion, up from the ₦644 billion initially proposed by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
Controversy emerged when the budget breakdown revealed that while ₦10.3 billion is designated for “Purchase of Motor Vehicles” across various MDAs (Ministries, Departments, and Agencies), other critical areas appeared to receive significantly less. Specifically, a viral report circulating on social platforms like Nairaland highlights that certain youth empowerment or specific rural water initiatives received as little as ₦203 million, leading to accusations of misplaced priorities.
Government Defense: “Security and Efficiency”
In his budget presentation, Governor AbdulRazaq defended the heavy investment in vehicles, stating that the move is essential for Security and Rural Connectivity.
- Security Hardware: A large portion of the vehicle budget is reportedly intended for the procurement of operational trucks for security agencies to combat the rising cases of kidnapping and banditry in the state.
- Service Delivery: The government maintains that many state-owned vehicles are obsolete, and new ones are needed to ensure civil servants can monitor projects in remote areas.
Public Reaction
Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Kwara have raised concerns over the “luxury” nature of the spending. “In an era where the exchange rate is volatile and citizens are struggling with high food prices, spending ₦10.3bn on vehicles while basic amenities in some communities remain underfunded is a bitter pill to swallow,” one activist stated.
The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Danladi Salihu, noted that the budget was “thoroughly scrutinized” to ensure it aligns with the state’s strategic needs, but critics argue that the lopsidedness of the allocations favors the comfort of government officials over the immediate needs of the poor.
“What do you think? Should the government spend 10 billion on cars when security is still a major challenge?”