Gbajabiamila lives in his private house as CoS, he has no official residence anywhere….. by Ayekooto Akindele

I saw a ridiculous and defamatory propaganda from the usual quarters regarding the 2024 Appropriation Bil, particularly the provision of N21,221,703,748.00 under the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President.

Although, people who spread such lies and propaganda deserve a perpetual life of ignominy, they are better left to wallow in their self inflicted mystery, however, the innocent Nigerians who may not know the antecedents of these liars deserve to know the truth, hence this response.

Firstly, There is no provision in the 2024 Appropriation Bill for the renovation of any residence for the Chief of Staff to the President because there is no official residence for the Chief of Staff in Abuja or anywhere else. For the record, the Chief of Staff lives in his private residence.

Secondly, the proposed budget represents overhead costs for the running of the office, also includes Capital Expenditure which includes purchase of several working tools, equipment, computers, vehicles, Strategic Communication Equipment etc for the running of the office. It also includes Renovation of Dodan Barracks Presidential Lodge, Renovation of Vice President Quarters in Lagos, Full Digitalization of The Entire State House and Lagos State Offices and Quarters and digital infrastructure reflect the unique considerations of presidential security and the need to overhaul the information management systems of the presidency to meet modern standards.

There’s nothing wrong in public scrutiny of public expenditure, however, it is necessary to emphasise the need for the media and public commentators to engage based on facts rather than insinuations and outright falsehoods. Healthy public debate about government actions requires us to be responsible with our utterances and avoid statements capable of heating the polity. The Bill is not a secret document.

Although, I don’t expect positive change of behaviour from those bent on portraying the government in bad light, those ones are inconsolable. For those patriotic citizens with genuine concerns, let’s be wary of incorrigible characters among us.