Jonathan spent N64bn on independence anniversaries –El- Rufai

Former President Goodluck Jonathan
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.
“I pay tribute to the many sacrifices that were made to
make the historic elections of this year possible. What the
voters of 2015 did was to make democracy a bulwark of
patriotism. In other words, the people cast their votes for
their country. May we never again be saddled with people
who (rated) themselves above the country.”
The former minister said education remained the key to
development.
He, therefore, declared a state of emergency in the
education sector.
He said, “Education is emancipation! Education is freedom
from want and disease! The provision of free basic
education in decent schools and with skilled teachers is one
of the priorities this government will accomplish in its four-
year term.
“We have spent the past few months planning school
repairs, the provision of school furniture and the training
of teachers. Today, we move to declare a state of
emergency in education. We ask for your support as we
begin to implement extraordinary measures in the
educational sector.”