Jonathan denies N2trillion campaign funds refund
President Goodluck Jonathan has described as false, embarrassing and mischievous the story alleging that he called for a refund of the N2trillion splashed on the recent elections in Nigeria.
The Sunday Punch today sensationally revealed the humongous budget for the election and said a poll-beaten Jonathan has set up a a Committee of Five to audit of how the funds were disbursed by party members and state officials.
President Goodluck Jonathan has described as false, embarrassing and mischievous the story alleging that he called for a refund of the N2trillion splashed on the recent elections in Nigeria.
The Sunday Punch today sensationally revealed the humongous budget for the election and said a poll-beaten Jonathan has set up a a Committee of Five to audit of how the funds were disbursed by party members and state officials.
“The President has not set up any committee as alleged in that story. It is also not true that the Presidency and the Peoples Democratic Party used state funds, or spent N2 trillion during the campaigns. The innuendoes are wrong-headed; the motives behind the story are suspicious”, Reuben Abati, presidential adviser on media said today.
Abati said the allegation that public funds were used for the prosecution of the election was “extremely malicious”.
“How much is the budget of the Federal Government of Nigeria? The annual budget of the Federal Government is a little over N4 trillion. The story is practically suggesting that half of the federal budget was spent on elections. This kind of reckless insinuation is meant to incite the public and instigate national crisis.
“With FAAC having to do everything possible every month to ensure disbursements and with the Federal Government heavily committed to the war against terror in the North East, where is the alleged N2 trillion from the Federal purse? President Jonathan and the People’s Democratic Party conducted the 2015 elections in strict accordance with the rule of law. The suggestion of any unlawful conduct cannot be sustained under any circumstances.
“President Jonathan has done his best to protect and strengthen democracy and promote peace. He justly deserves all the accolades that he has received from both Nigerians and the international community for this. Certain persons and interest groups may not be happy that his profile has further risen and that his legacy is assured; but they do their country gross disservice when they act so unpatriotically.
“We are particularly worried that since the March 28 and April 11 elections, some persons have continued to work very hard to diminish the Jonathan Presidency. They need to be reminded that the time for politics is over; it is now time to focus on the in-coming government, with emphasis on national development and moving the country forward.”
