Imagine The Dep Speaker Saying, “Oh, The Money For Renovation Of Churches Is Not #1bn, it’s #750m -Ojo

During an interview on Arise Television on Thursday, July 23, 2026, political analyst Jide Ojo criticised attempts to justify budgetary allocations for the renovation of churches and the purchase of musical instruments, arguing that such spending should not take precedence over pressing national needs.

Ojo’s remarks followed the release of a report by Tracka, an initiative of the BudgIT Foundation, which revealed that the 2026 budget earmarked ₦22.15 billion for the renovation and furnishing of 106 palaces and ₦8 billion for projects related to churches and mosques.

According to him, “Imagine the deputy speaker coming out yesterday to say, ‘Oh, the money for renovation of churches and buying of musical instruments in Abia State is not ₦1 billion, it’s ₦780 million.’ What kind of justification is that? It’s a long practice. It’s been from time immemorial. But thank God for civil society organisations, civic tech organisations like BudgIT and Tracka.”

Ojo argued that public funds should be directed toward critical sectors such as education, healthcare and infrastructure rather than projects he considers outside the core responsibilities of government. He also commended civil society organisations for scrutinising public budgets and drawing attention to allocations they believe deserve greater public accountability…....