Report of N1bn church instrument budget in Abia false, says Kalu
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has dismissed reports claiming that N1 billion was earmarked in the 2026 budget solely for the purchase of musical instruments for churches in Bende Federal Constituency, Abia State, describing the reports as misleading.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the deputy speaker’s Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, the office said the budget provision was for a broader youth re-orientation and social support programme to be implemented through faith-based organisations across the constituency.
According to the statement, the actual allocation is N780 million after VAT and other tax deductions. It explained that the intervention targets about 130 churches in the first phase of the programme, with each expected to receive between N5 million and N6 million to strengthen youth engagement initiatives and community outreach activities.
“This intervention is not about instruments alone. It is about leveraging trusted community value-sustaining structures to reorient our youths, promote unity and sustain moral instruction across the constituency. We urge the media and the public to disregard sensational reports and support efforts aimed at building both infrastructure and character in our society,” the statement read.
The office said the funds would be used to procure evangelical equipment, including public address systems and musical instruments, to support campaigns against drug abuse, sexual offences, violent crime and other social vices, while promoting discipline, peace and moral values among young people.
It stated that government investment should extend beyond physical infrastructure to include initiatives that strengthen character and value systems, adding that the programme forms part of a non-kinetic approach to promoting peace, unity and national development.
The statement also noted that the 2026 budget has not yet been implemented or funded, stressing that no procurement process has commenced and that the selected churches would only be notified after due process has been completed.
It further disclosed that a technical error had been identified in the procurement description and that a letter of corrigendum had already been initiated through the appropriation process to correct the budget entry before implementation.
