Nigerians have accused the Governor of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha, of snubbing Innoson vehicles to patronise a foreign vehicle brand following reports that the State just acquired new Ford pickup vans for security operatives in the state.

Ihedioha, on Tuesday, launched a joint security operation, code-named: Operation Iron Gate, at Hero’s Square, Owerri the state capital.

During the launch, the governor distributed new 80 vehicles to the 27 council areas and security agencies to aid their operation and performance.

Some Twitter users became peeved when photos of the event emerged on social media showing that the vehicles acquired and distributed to the security agencies by the Imo Government are all Ford brand.

Reacting, Twitter users slammed the governor for snubbing his ‘kinsman’ to patronise a ‘foreign’ brand.

Some argued that at a time the government is making efforts to promote and encourage local content by patronising local producers, the Imo State Government decided to snub Innoson vehicles for Ford, describing the action as a discouragement for local content.

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Others, however, argued that the vehicles were not imported but were acquired from a Nigerian distributor, saying the Imo government’s action will also encourage local business owners.

 

See some of the reactions:

 

Imo state Governor, unlooked Anambra state where a fellow Igbo man is assembling Innoson Motors, and went to USA to buy 100s of Ford vehicles. Army bought from Innoson, FRSC bought from Innoson, but Emeka Ihedioha decided to buy from Ford, when charity begins at home is nonsense.

— Zaddy Ajala (@UNCLE_AJALA) August 22, 2019

To think that Innocent Chukwuma (Innoson motors) is the Chancellor of Imo State University Owerri, yet the Governor had to travel to USA to buy 100 ford trucks beats my imagination & makes Emeka Ihedioha a joke. MFR my foot when you can’t hold the ‘Nigeriannees’ above prejudice pic.twitter.com/DzgPpqSvbC

— Ikeogu adiorm (@ugomajesty) August 21, 2019

The case of Imo State Governor snubbing Innoson (Nigeria) for Ford (USA) is the same case Nigeria exporting its crude oil to import a refined product. Like Nigeria like Imo.

— ‘Diwúrà Adéríbigbé De-Catalyste (@diwuramedia) August 22, 2019

In April, 2019,Buhari acquired 77 Hilux vehicles from Innoson Motors for the usage of the FRSC, but Imo state gov, Ihedioha snubs Innoson, went to the US and acquired 100s of vehicles. And then some nitwits and cretins will come on Twitter to say Buhari is the enemy of the Igbos pic.twitter.com/khVPjEJjs8

— Adegoke Martins Adeyemi (@yungtuneSNEH) August 22, 2019

The new IMO state govt snubs Innoson and spends billions in America buying from Ford.

Kogi state snubs China and buys 10 vehicles for govt use.
Ondo state buys Innoson vehicles for state’s clubs.
Buhari buys 77 from Innoson.

Nigeria will need to buy Nigeria to grow. pic.twitter.com/scx19gNgr8

— ᴏᴍᴀsᴏʀᴏ ᴀʟɪ ᴏᴠɪᴇ™☤ (@OmasoroO) August 21, 2019

If it were Oyo State producing Innoson Motors, the Oodua states would have come together despite political difference and charted a plan for proliferation of the brand, at least among their states.

— Nejeeb Bello Oyarese (@NejeebBello) August 22, 2019

they said if innocent was to be northerner PMB would’ve been encouraging his patronage, but now that an igbo son v done this they are now quiet, this ppl are sadist and hypocrite

— ❤❤ (@phil56741631) August 21, 2019

Federal govt is buying from him and also some state governors…

— Ehix (@Ehix07) August 22, 2019

When a leadership that doesn’t know how to make a people rich assume power, that is what they do. They don’t understand that the jobs that comes as we use our own goods is d prosperity of d people… LOCAL CONTENT.. Made in Nigeria products..Forex… that is the wealth.

— Father Africa (@ReginaldNnabue) August 21, 2019

If that is your claim, then why did Ihedioha chose to patronise FORD when we have made in Nigeria vehicles?

— Bright Okuta (@BRIGHTOKUTA) August 22, 2019

For Buhari to patronize Innoson motors could means Innocent Chukwuma is an APC Member, while Emeka Ihedioha is a PDP Member.

Cos everything in Nigeria is mostly politics.

— Aburo Lukaku™❤? (@tweetmoreng) August 22, 2019

I’m sure you are not aware that Ford assembles in Nigeria.pls check your facts before you tweet.

— Bello Suleiman (@bello_ss) August 21, 2019

That is because we still have that mentality that what a white man built is better that what a black man built. He forgot that patronizing Innoson will put food on the table of many Nigerians that are employed there.

— stephenia omeh (@StepheniaOmeh) August 21, 2019

Oma ! Please fact check before writing on this matter . Cosmos Maduka , COSCHARIS , assembles Ford cars in Nigeria . INNOSON also imports a large part of the components of his cars from China .You know what happened to our iron and steel plant at Ajaokuta in kogi

— Mobile Toilet System (@ToiletMobile) August 21, 2019

My bros in whom I am very very well pleased!!! Can we confirm if dey are imported or obtained from d accredited 9ja dealer! One road no dey lead go market or enter market, but I wish Coscharis d best in establishing A FORD ASSEMBLY PLANT for 9ja, NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE!!!

— Ogunleye Akinola Koleola (@AkinolaKoleola) August 21, 2019