Mixed reactions trail Abia state Governor, Alex Otti after procuring a fleet of Toyota Hilux for the Police and not sticking to his promise to patronize vehicles manufactured in Nigeria.
On Tuesday, August 8, Alex Otti announced that a new joint task force called ‘Operation Crush’ has been launched to address threats, specifically targeting areas like Umunneochi, Isuikwuato LGAs, as well as Umuahia, Aba, and Ohafia.
He warned criminals to beware as Abia state will no longer be a safe haven for them.
To enable the special security operation, a fleet of cars was procured and commissioned alongside.
As a result, some raised concerns over his choice of vehicles for the police after creating awareness for the use of made-in-Nigeria cars.
Upon his arrival as Governor, Nigerians, especially Abia residents hailed and praised him for using premium parade-grade Innoson vehicle as your inaugural vehicle.
However, the launch of new vehicles for the security personnel sparked mixed reactions on social media.
A known sympathizer of Labour Party, @Spotlight_Abby took to her Twitter page to quiz the Governor on his recent decisions.
She tweeted;
"Dear Governor @alexottiofr,
Nigerians demand an explanation for why we jettisoned Innoson & other Nigerian car manufacturers to procure Toyota Hilux for the Police.
We celebrated you for using this premium parade-grade Innoson vehicle as your inaugural vehicle, what changed?
BUY NAIJA TO GROW THE NAIRA!"
Some Nigerians on their part took to his defense saying, it could either have been procured by the previous administration or related to cost.
Below are some comments;
Your Excellency Sir, we the OBIdients will praise you when you're doing well, but on this particular one with due respect Sir, why Toyota? Why didn't you order from @innosonvehicles or other indigenous Companies to grow Nigeria? Sir, it's No No for Us! You started with INNOSON pic.twitter.com/HuE2oh4r38
— Cyndi-Gold????????????????????????????❤️???????????????????????? (@CyndiGold2) August 9, 2023
Couldn’t Innoson supply similar vehicles? We need an explanation Sir
— Jones1604 (@FranklinNwachu6) August 9, 2023
I believe the reason would be cost. Those vehicles don’t seem like new ones. And I don’t think you can get innoson used vehicles this many
— Joseph (@jaycutie07) August 9, 2023
#Obidients do not have permanent friends oh! Just permanent interests for good governance. So @alexottiofr, you will do well to explore supporting local businesses next time, biko ????????
— PeterObiRightHand????☂️☔️ (@Awoken9ijaYouth) August 9, 2023
It could be that the amount of vehicles needed at the time of purchase weren’t readily available.
— Prodigal BF ???? (@JerryAfam) August 9, 2023
It could also be that the past administrations had already made provisions for these vehicles prior to this time ????????????
In all of this lets wait to hear from the horses mouth. It could be cost issue. I am certain there is either a disagreement some how between the government and innoson motors or Toyota came with a partnership offer.
— Brave (@bravemoni) August 10, 2023
It's a business strategy. Toyota and others are needed to also come in and Innoson should not sit comfortable thinking thinks will just be landing on their table without fighting for it too. It's a fair game...
— Daniel Bassey (@Edem_Ba) August 9, 2023
I asked this question severely why would he choose Toyota over @innosonvehicles , no govt official should be allowed to patronize foreign vehicles over indigenous own.
— Benue Folks???????? (@stigy_solomon) August 9, 2023
Sir @alexottiofr do well to patronize made in Nig vehicles, formal gov. @SamuelOrtom_ prove this during his time
