LAGOS, NIGERIA — African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has criticised how Nigerian embassies spend public funds. He alleged that a Mercedes-Benz car was used to buy food for embassy staff in New York.
Sowore made the statement during an interview on AIT News. He spoke about what he described as poor management of Nigeria’s resources in its foreign missions.
Background of the Claim
The AAC candidate recalled receiving a call while working at Sahara Reporters. The call was about Nigeria’s plan to purchase about five Mercedes-Benz cars for newly appointed ambassadors.
He said he later visited the Nigerian embassy in New York to renew his passport. There, he discovered that one of the expensive vehicles was being used to buy food for staff members in the Bronx.
“One day I went to the embassy to do maybe a passport renewal or something. I discovered that one of the vehicles, the Mercedes-Benz car, its purpose is to go and buy food in the Bronx for staff. A Mercedes-Benz car; they have to go and buy food. Food that they could cook at home,” Sowore said.
Questions About Public Funds
According to Sowore, using a luxury vehicle for such a purpose raised questions. He questioned how public funds were being spent by Nigerian officials abroad.
He also questioned why the embassy needed a Mercedes-Benz to purchase food. He said other arrangements could be made.
Sowore further pointed out that the Nigerian House in New York occupies a tall building in a prime location. He suggested that some of its floors could be converted into kitchens. There, staff could prepare their meals.
Broader Concerns
Sowore’s comments add to the ongoing debate about the cost of governance in Nigeria. Critics have long argued that Nigeria’s foreign missions are poorly managed. They say resources are wasted on luxury items while many Nigerians live in poverty.
The AAC candidate has been a vocal critic of government spending. He has consistently called for transparency and accountability in the management of public funds.
What This Means
The allegation highlights the need for reform in Nigeria’s foreign service. It also raises questions about how embassies prioritise their spending. If true, the use of a Mercedes-Benz to buy food would represent a clear waste of public resources.
For now, the Nigerian government has not responded to Sowore’s claims. But the allegations are likely to fuel further debate about the cost of governance and the need for greater accountability in Nigeria’s public institutions.
