Bello El-Rufai, a member of the Nigerian House of Representatives, is under scrutiny after a leaked document raised questions about his claim of rejecting a luxury SUV distributed to lawmakers.
In March 2024, El-Rufai publicly stated that he, along with several other lawmakers, had declined the SUVs provided by the National Assembly. He portrayed this decision as a principled stand against perceived excess and a commitment to public service.
However, a document dated October 31, 2023, has surfaced, suggesting that El-Rufai may have received a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado from the National Assembly. The document, which includes specifics such as the vehicle’s chassis number and color, appears to contradict his earlier public statements. This SUV was reportedly allocated to him by the House of Representatives’ transport division, raising questions about whether his previous statements were accurate.
The situation first came to light through a leaked internal memo from the House of Representatives, which was exposed in March 2024. The memo, reportedly authored by Hon. Philip Agbese, the Deputy Spokesperson for the House, implied that all members, including El-Rufai, had received their assigned vehicles. The memo also addressed the issue of misinformation, urging members to refrain from making statements that could misrepresent the actions of the parliament.
El-Rufai, who represents Kaduna North Federal Constituency and serves as Chairman of the House Committee on Banking Regulations, may now face further inquiries about the accuracy of his statements. This development highlights the ongoing importance of transparency and accountability within Nigerian politics.
