Jonathan Spent N333 Million On Independence Day, Not N64 Billion As El-Rufai Claimed

The Breakdown of Independence expenditures during the tenure of Ex President Goodluck Jonathan..

In its official response to the investigative report and information request by the BudgIT accountability and public finance start-up, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation has released a public letter titled Independence Day celebration/centenary actual expenditure from 2010 to 2015 signed by Mohammed Garba, the director for finance and accounts.

“With reference to your letter dated 2nd October, 2015 on the above subject matter, it is stated as follows:

“2010 (Golden Jubilee) – N1.7bn; 2011 (no release of funds); 2012 (53rd Independence Anniversary) – N107,600,000; 2013 (53rd Independence Anniversary) – N45,000,000; 2014 (54th Independence Anniversary) – N180,000,000; 2015 (55th Independence Anniversary) – N70,000,000).

“Please note that in 2013, Mr President approved the sum of N223,800,000 for the 53rd Independence Celebration, only N45,000,000 was released to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. The sum of N138,138,000 was released for centenary honours awards,” the letter reads, in part.

A total of N2.24 billion was spent by the immediate past and current governments on the Independence Day Celebration/Centenary Actual Expenditure from 2010 to 2015, the Office of the SGF said.

On the eve of Independence day celebrations, Nasir El-Rufai claimed the Jonathan-led administration spent N64 billion on the event in five years, and praised Buhari for allocating only N70 million.