The former Secretary to the Anambra State Government during Peter Obi’s administration, Oseloka Obase has revealed how his principal procured 400 SUVs for traditional rulers despite advocating virtues of living a simple, economical, and thrifty lifestyle.
Obi, who ran for president under the Labour Party banner in 2023, is known for advocating a reduction in the cost of governance at both the state and federal levels.
However, the revelation by his former aide regarding the procurement of 400 SUVs during Obi’s tenure as governor of Anambra State stands in stark contrast to Obi’s public image and political positioning in Nigeria.
Wading into the controversy surrounding Erisco Foods, Obase, in a series of tweets on Monday, March 11, 2024, discussed how crises could significantly impact the public relations of corporate entities.
During this discussion, he recounted an incident from his time working with his principal, where one of the 400 SUVs procured for traditional rulers in Anambra by the ex-governor, Peter Obi, was involved in a crash. This incident nearly resulted in a public relations disaster for Innoson Motors.
He tweeted, “Potential Corporate PR’s disasters require tact & diplomacy. When I was the SSG in Anambra Peter Obi, procured over 400 SUVs for the Traditional Rulers. One day, a Traditional Ruler & Classmate called to say his SUV crashed. Luckily no injuries or fatalities.
“Then he said his driver (who had apparently fallen asleep at the wheels) said the steering wheel had instantly locked at top speed. I sensed a PR problem instantly. I told him to get a police report and arrange for the vehicle to be towed back to Anambra.
“I then called the CEO of Innoson Motors and explained the situation. I suggested they recover the vehicle dismantle it and ascertain if indeed the vehicle accident was mechanical, and if need be take remedial measures. He did not argue. He thanked me.
“He proceeded as agreed and it was ascertained the accident was not due to a steering lock. Innoson Motors repaired and restored the SUV to brand-new status and returned to the Traditional Ruler. Meanwhile, ANSG had replaced the SUV with a new one.
“In the end, the driver admitted that he “might have dozed off.” Imagine the PR disaster one accident would have been to Innoson Motors. Till date, one decade later, the Traditional Ruler is still driving both SUVs without issues. Lessons learned.”
Unfortunately, the thread did not achieve its intended purpose, as the revelation about his principal acquiring 400 SUVs overshadowed the main message of his tweets and became the focal point of discussion on Twitter.
Obase’s tweets prompted many Nigerians to question Obi’s advocacy for frugality, as he is widely perceived as a politician who opposes bloated governments.
This development comes shortly after Obi called on the presidency and the National Assembly to account for an additional ₦3 trillion added to the 2024 budget.
In a statement on Sunday, March 10, 2024, Obi said the alleged discrepancy in the budget represents 10% of the national budget, adding that the allegation underscored a “lack of transparency in managing public funds” and “a breach of trust between the Nigerian people and their elected leaders.
Reacting, Ex-special assistant to former president Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri reacting to the development said; “He criticised the National Assembly for wasting billions buying 400 SUVs for Legislators. Meanwhile, he purchased 400 SUVs for Anambra Igwes when he was Governor. Between Legislators and Igwes, who should the government buy cars for?
“This is almost spiritual. 400 versus 400. Exact number.His own was not a waste. Maybe it was a waist!
Dr Dípò Awójídé said; “This is an own goal. A politician who has been sold and paraded as economically frugal should not be buying 400 SUVs for Traditional Rulers. Perhaps, he could have built more schools and hospitals with the funds that went towards buying 400 SUVs.”
Social media commentator, Daniel Regha reacting said; “Peter Obi’s govt acquired over “400 SUVs” for Traditional Rulers according to his then SSG (Oseloka H. Obaze), but same Peter Obi was quick to condemn the “expenditure of N60 billion for the purchase of SUV vehicles for legislators”. Are both not expenses made using public funds? Talk about hypocr!sy.”
Japheth J. Omojuwa said; “It started from, “four legs good, two legs bad” then became, “four legs good, two legs better.
“I mean, Napoleon walks on two legs now, it can’t be bad. We started from calling purchases of 400 SUVs for ANY group of people, “bad” and “unacceptable”.
“Now that Napoleon has been seen to favour such splurges, we have now amended it to, “400 SUVs purchases bad”, to “400 SUVs assembled in Nigeria? That’s acceptable”. I mean, people excused mass killings of people dumped into a river, desperately wishing it away as a non-event.
“These amendments aren’t limited to any one political group or indeed any group of people. It is universal. It is an emblem of our common hypocrisy – common humanity I meant to say. Only those who the deny it are the worst of the lot!
An X user Oluwapelumi Precious said; “Some people still think he’s a saint, but he’s just a politician. Someone snitched on his boss, Atiku. He might snitch if he becomes the president.”
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