www.punchng.com/politics/jonathan-spent-n64bn-on-independence-anniversaries-el-rufai/

Kaduna State Governor,
Nasir el-Rufai, has hailed
President Muhammadu Buhari for budgeting N70m for the Independence Day
anniversary.


El-Rufai noted in a Facebook post on Thursday that under
former President Goodluck Jonathan, the Federal Government spent billions every year on Independence Day.


He noted that between 2011 and 2014, Jonathan spent over N64bn celebrating
Independence Day.
Curiously, in 2010 Jonathan budgeted N10bn for Nigeria’s golden jubilee celebration.


He wrote, “This is the APC/ PMB change we voted for. Independence anniversary expenditure for the past five years: 2011 – N13bn; 2012 -
N15bn; 2013 – N14bn; 2014 – N22bn; 2015 -N70m
In a separate post titled, ‘Our chance for national rebirth’, el-Rufai urged on the people of Kaduna not to
lose hope.


He noted that the nation was not yet where it ought to be
but with purposeful
leadership, things would get better.


The governor subsequently pardoned some convicted prisoners.

He said, “On this occasion, the Kaduna State government decided to extend mercy to prisoners.
Pursuant to Section 212 of the constitution, the
prerogative of mercy was exercised in favour of 14 prisoners.


“The government commuted the death sentences of five
convicts, who will now serve prison time. Five prisoners serving sentences of three
years and above were
released on the basis of
good behaviour or time
served already.


“In addition, three prisoners were released on the basis on age while one person was
released due to ill health. In doing our duty to show mercy, the government warns that it will not tolerate
crime and threats to
security.”


He said one of the highpoints of the last 55 years was the
2015 general elections which saw the defeat of his former party, the Peoples Democratic Party, and the victory of the All Progressives Congress which will ensure the needed
change.


He thanked Nigerians,
specifically the people of Kaduna for voting for change and steering the nation to the path of greatness.


El-Rufai said, “We can
celebrate because 2015 is the year that the people of this country decided it was time to begin the rebirth of a
nation. Against the most concerted campaign ever mounted by a government to
divide the people it was
meant to lead, Nigerians refused to be set against one another

Talk about tremendous cluelessness from the yam n goat originator.

Jonathan's government was a government of waste.

When will this man start concentrating on developing his state and let the past be?

True Talk...................!!!

Issokay, in everything in this world, it is the end that matters. .. God should eradicate every unfriendly friends in our lives.... Jonathan administration was full of unfriendly friends so anything was possible

Anything and Everything. Blame it on Jonathan.
.
But if you ask me, I will say that it's a little bit late to continue blaming Jonathan in an administration that has spent it's first four months, blaming the past rather than looking towards the future.

GEJ is blamed for everything concerning money dat was spent but let's not forget that this money was spent and looted by all Nigerians including EL-Rufai's fellow northerners who have contributed immensely towards the depletion of our petroleum resources, they own 80% of the oil blocs but I don't hear them condemning the process that awarded it to their people, so what are we talking about here. NNPC is mostly populated by northerners and what improvements or innovations have they contributed over the years.

If GEJ was a northerner nobody wld tear him apart like this.

It's high time that the comparisons should end and the widely proclaimed change should start being felt. They only have three years left before the 2019 elections and they will only be judged on how they have performed not on their continuous comparisons.

I think El rufai should post our idependent anniversary budget from 1999 which include the year he was F.C.T minister and come to think of it why did he omit yara dua 2yrs tenure?

God bless PMB
God bless Nigeria

it's all politics

All these dullards should leave Jonathan alone.

Face your responsibilities and do them for people

Stop seeking for attention

I think its time APC knows that they are the party ,and stop this criticism.

Its time for Mallam El-Rufai to settle down and focus on his primary plan for Kaduna State. While he has started strong by articulating convincing plans for Kaduna State development he is appearing to frolic too often with FG's onus.

He is remembered today for his good works in BPE and as FCT Minister. He will be remembered for his service as the Kaduna State Governor in 2019 and not as de-facto V.P as being alleged by some watchers.