Buhari Refuses FG Offer On N400m Armoured Cars

President Muhammadu Buhari has refused an offer by the Federal Government to attain five new armoured Mercedes Benz S-600 (V222) cars for his use.

President Muhammadu Buhari

The cars which total cost is put at about N400m were calculated to be purchased by the State House.

According to a source close to the presidency, Buhari got to know of the plan when the Permanent Secretary, State House, Mr. Nebolisa Emodi, was briefing him of his ministry’s activities on Wednesday.

Displeased by the development, the President was said to have told Emodi that the purchase was unnecessary.

Describing it as a waste, the source said Buhari told the permanent secretary that the cars he inherited from former President Goodluck Jonathan were good for him.

“I don’t need any new cars. The ones I am using now are just fine,” the source quoted the President as saying.

The top government officials, however, said Buhari welcomed other initiatives presented by the permanent secretary to reduce the operating costs of the State House and strengthen its Finance and Accounts Internal Control Mechanisms.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, confirmed the development that Buhari had suspended approval for the purchase of the new cars.

Shehu said the President would continue to use the cars left behind by Jonathan in keeping with his commitment to prudent management of national resources.

Meanwhile, the National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki has said that President Buhari never ordered a demolition of checkpoints from the highways.