The Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Community Engagement, North-East, Abdulhamid Yahaya-Abba, has denied using the taxpayers’ money to fund his large convoy of vehicles.
An X user ‘Anambra 1st Son’ had alleged that the presidential aide travelled to his hometown in Bauchi State in a large convey that was allegedly sponsored using taxpayers’ money.
Putting the record straight, Mr Yahaya-Abba, in a statement sent to DAILY NIGERIAN on Monday, said that the said convoy of cars consisted of friends, associate and support groups who trooped in their numbers to congratulate him on his appointment.
“Contrary to the false report, it is crucial to clarify that the convoy in question is not funded by taxpayers’ money. The Senior Special Assistant’s convoy consists of both friends, private security personnel and some few state own security apparatus.
“The false report is geared towards causing confusion and to create discord among the public and patriotic government officials regarding the use of public funds for personal benefits,” the aide stressed.
“Abdulhamid hails from a region grappling with security challenges posed by Boko Haram. It is crucial to clarify that this convoy is not funded by taxpayers’ money but rather by friends and well-wishers, who have been his pillar of support long before he was appointed as the SSA to the President.
“He has always been in convoy of cars carrying out Community mobilisation long before now. He is well loved among his people in the North East.
“As such, it will be suicidal for someone who is always in the mist of crowd in a security challenged community not to have two to three policemen safeguarding him when he is on a state visit.”
