By Usman Umaru
The Kebbi State House of Assembly has come under heavy criticism from civil society organisations and opposition parties for donating 25 vehicles to the Tinubu/Kaura 2 Terms (TKT) campaign group—a political movement pushing for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Nasir Idris in 2027.
The vehicles, identified as Opel Zafira 2000 models, are estimated to cost between ₦3.5 million and ₦6 million each, according to vehicle listings on Cars45.com.
Speaker of the House, Alhaji Muhammad Usman-Zuru, handed over the vehicles to the campaign group on behalf of the 25-member Assembly. He described the donation as a fulfillment of a pledge made during the group’s inauguration on May 20, 2025.
Usman-Zuru defended the gesture, stating that the lawmakers had every reason to support the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing what he described as Governor Idris’s exceptional governance and President Tinubu’s consistent support for Kebbi State.
“The essence of governance is the delivery of dividends of democracy to the citizenry, and Governor Nasir Idris has delivered beyond expectations across all areas of human endeavour,” he said.
He noted that each lawmaker donated a vehicle as a personal commitment to the campaign, while also praising the cordial relationship between the legislature and the executive arm of government.
Civil Society, Opposition React
However, the donation has sparked public outrage and condemnation. Civil society groups and political opponents have questioned the appropriateness, timing, and possible funding source for the vehicles, especially amid the economic challenges facing Kebbi residents.
Comrade Ibrahim Ngaski, Chairman of the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Kebbi State, described the donation as “shocking and insensitive.”
“Looking at the situation on the ground, this is not the way to go. We are facing insecurity, poverty, man-made disasters, and a high number of out-of-school children. The funds spent on these 25 vehicles could have been better used to address these pressing challenges,” Ngaski said.
He stressed that even if the vehicles were procured with personal salaries, it still amounts to misuse of public funds, as the lawmakers are funded by taxpayers.
Abdullahi Mustapha, a member of the Coalition of Political Parties in the state, also criticised the gesture, urging lawmakers to focus on public interest rather than partisan politics.
“With the level of poverty and hardship in Kebbi, the Assembly members should not be spending money on vehicles for political campaigns. This shows a lack of empathy for the people they were elected to serve,” he said.
Campaign Group Reacts
Receiving the vehicles, Director-General of the TKT campaign group, Alhaji Abdulrahman Manga, thanked the lawmakers for fulfilling their promise and supporting the re-election bid of Tinubu and Idris.
He revealed that the group had received a total of 70 vehicles so far, including the recent donations.
“We have trained drivers who have undergone road safety and defensive driving seminars. The vehicles will be used strictly for campaign purposes in line with the group’s objectives,” Manga assured.
Despite the assurances, the move continues to generate backlash, with many Kebbi residents expressing concern over the use of political influence and public office for campaign purposes in a state battling with development deficits.