Oyo govt debunks N683.7m vehicle procurement claim
By Adejayan Gbenga
The Oyo State Government has dismissed as false a report alleging that it spent N683.7 million to procure two vehicles, describing the claim as a misrepresentation of the state’s official financial records.
The Special Adviser on Media to Governor Seyi Makinde, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju, said this in a statement issued on Wednesday, September 16, 2026. He said the N683.7 million figure appeared under a budget line titled “Advertisement and Publicity Awareness for the Public” and was not specifically allocated for vehicle procurement.
According to Olanrewaju, the amount covered several activities under a publicity programme, while the vehicles mentioned in the report were only part of the logistics for the programme.
He said the report’s headline was inconsistent with the contents of the audited financial statement it cited, noting that the document did not provide a breakdown of the amount spent on the Toyota Camry and Hiace bus or state their individual prices.
The government also cited other vehicle procurement figures contained in the same financial statement. It said a 30-seater Toyota Coaster, 2015 model, was listed at N140 million, while a 2021 Toyota Hiace Hummer bus was listed at N156.95 million.
It added that Toyota Corolla vehicles, 2019/2020 models, were listed at N28.98 million and N50.71 million, respectively.
Olanrewaju said the figures contradicted the allegation that N683.7 million was spent on a 2004 Toyota Camry and a 10-seater Hiace bus, adding that no line item in the audited financial statement supported the claim.
The government urged media organisations to exercise caution when interpreting public financial records, stressing that scrutiny of government spending should be based on accurate interpretation of official documents. It said the Makinde administration remained committed to transparency, accountability and responsible financial management, adding that it welcomed scrutiny grounded in facts.
