Senator John Owan Enoh, Nigeria’s Minister of Sports Development, has responded to recent allegations surrounding the purchase of a N150 million Toyota vehicle, clarifying that the acquisition is justified and necessary. In a statement issued on Tuesday, Kehinde Ajayi, Director of Information and Public Relations for the Ministry of Sports Development, refuted claims of financial recklessness and mismanagement.
The statement addresses concerns raised regarding the separation of the Ministry of Sports Development from the Ministry of Youths and Sports Development in the President Bola Tinubu’s administration. This administrative change, according to Ajayi, has led to significant operational challenges, including a lack of functional vehicles for key ministry officials. The Honourable Minister, Senator Enoh, has reportedly been using a malfunctioning official vehicle, while the Permanent Secretary has had to use her personal vehicle for official duties. Additionally, the ministry staff lacks a dedicated staff bus.
Contrary to the accusations of extravagance, Ajayi emphasized that the ministry’s 2024 budget appropriately allocated funds for the purchase of operational vehicles to address these deficiencies. She clarified that all procurement processes adhered strictly to legal and procedural requirements. Senator Enoh, she noted, was not involved in the bidding or contract award processes, which are beyond his responsibilities.
The statement criticized the portrayal of the vehicle purchase as “largesse,” asserting that such a characterization is misleading and intended to provoke public controversy. Ajayi stressed that the procurement of vehicles for ministry officials was duly authorized and necessary for efficient operation.
Ajayi also refuted claims linking the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to the vehicle purchase, describing these allegations as unfounded. She pointed out that the NFF operates its own budget and procurement processes, separate from those of the Ministry of Sports Development.
