Presidency denies spending N3bn on transition committee

by James Sambo

The Presidency has denied reports being circulated on the social media that President Goodluck Jonathan budgeted N3bn for members of the transition committee chaired by Vice President Namadi Sambo.

The transition committee has been given the task of ensuring a smooth transition from Jonathan to the President-elect, Maj-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).

On Monday, a message went viral on social media stating that during a meeting between the President and the President-elect, Jonathan reportedly said that N3bn would be spent on his transition committee while Buhari was supposedly said that members of his own committee were volunteers who don’t expect to be paid.

The message titled “Now I’m convinced we didn’t make a mistake,” had read, “Buhari was at the villa in connection to setting up a transition committee for handing over. At the meeting, Goodluck asked for the list of representatives of APC and the required remuneration.

“Buhari was surprised that Goodluck’s list and corresponding cost was put at N3billion for a job estimated to last only 2months. Goodluck then asked why Buhari’s list didn’t show corresponding cost?

“Buhari answered that his team was made up of volunteers and their feeding would be by individuals/self even if they have to bring in leftover food from their homes. No word has been heard from presidency since then. This is the beginning of purposeful leadership.”

Meanwhile, the Presidency has reacted to it through the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati.

Abati said that no such meeting or conversation took place, saying: “This is pure fiction and blackmail. No such meeting or conversation ever took place. Whoever wrote the copy obviously has never heard of being magnanimous in victory. A charlatan certainly.”

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