Nigerian tweeps have chided Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, Southeast Nigeria for purchasing South Korea-made Hyundai cars for his new team of police, branded Distress Rapid Squad (DRS).
The governor was lambasted for shunning Nigeria-made Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Co. Ltd. which has factories close to him, and going all the way to South Korea in Asia to bring in the vehicles, which would also come with high import duties.
Although, the headquarters of Innoson Motors is in Nnewi, Anambra State, southeast Nigeria, its main showroom and tyre and plastic factories are based in Enugu, even close to the State Government House.
Governor Mbah, who took to his official Twitter account @PNMbah to announce the setting up of the new security team which he said will be patrolling streets in the state capital to ensure adequate security got backlash from Nigerian tweeps for sharing pictures of South Korea-made vehicles instead of Innoson’s.
Some former governors of the state, namely - Sullivan Chime and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi patronised Innoson Motors.
The two former governors procured Innoson vehicles for security agencies in the state; although, Chime also patronised South Korea’s Hyundai alongside.
Along with a post of the pictures of the branded patrol vehicles, Mbah wrote: "I have set up a new team of the police branded Distress Rapid Squad (DRS), to replace the comatose Police Urban Patrol.
"They will patrol the streets of Enugu with a view to rapidly respond to security issues in our state.
"This is part of the proactive measures of my administration."
@maziechidiime slammed the governor, querying his choice of Hyundai when indigenous Innoson Motors has factories in Enugu.
He described the action of the governor as "unfortunate and unforgivable," insisting that it was wrong irrespective of what informed his choice of foreign cars instead of indigenous ones.
He wrote: "I don’t like involving in politics but let’s call a spade a spade even if you’re my best friend or mentor I will speak.
"Why chose Hyundai when there is Innoson domiciled in Enugu state?
"What example are you showing us? You were voted in by the people and for the people not for the foreigners!
"Note: all Igbo states are one ma Ka Ndi it’s not your state state chinaeke Agba unu niile Ọkụ."
Ugo_Chinyere1 with Twitter handle @derealeMorgan alleged that Nigerian leaders use the purchase of foreign cars to launder money abroad.
He wrote: "And Innoson is readily available for repairs, just like someone rightly said, these are avenues for money laundering."
Another Twitter user, @KnowsJoshua wrote: "I think dey picked Hyundai so they can inflate prices on budget oh cause why else won’t you buy from Innoson."