The recent decision by Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, to approve a staggering ₦500 million for Hajj sponsorship has sparked widespread outrage among Nigerians, especially amid the current economic crisis plaguing the country.
The approval, which comes at a time when citizens are grappling with rising inflation, food shortages, and worsening living conditions, has been met with fierce criticism from civil society groups, political analysts, and concerned citizens. Many argue that such an expenditure is insensitive and misplaced, considering the dire financial struggles faced by many reside
Prominent voices have taken to social media and other platforms to express their disappointment. Critics argue that the funds should have been channeled into more pressing developmental projects such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
A social commentator, Chijioke Nwosu, lamented, “How does spending ₦500 million on religious pilgrimage benefit the average Ebonyi citizen struggling to afford a meal? This is pure misplacement of priorities.
A vocal voice Kalu Ajah wrote on his X account @ Finplalkaluaja1:
“There is something deeply amiss in Ebonyi State
It’s not surface, it’s deep
Again, this is the poorest State in the South East. It is an outlier for poverty in the entire South of Nigeria, yet look at how they spend money
This is not a poorly endowed State, but like Abia of old, their leadership has let them down
I hope the pilgrims fly ut from the Ebon
Prince Alfredo Vasco also tweeted on X saying: “When you are influenced by a godfather who sits in Abuja and wields power to please his Boss – BAT, you get this type of senseless budget. It’s really a shame that Umahi is allowing such rubbish in Ebonyi state all to be in the good book of BAT”.
Similarly, opposition parties and activists have condemned the move, calling it a misuse of public funds. They emphasize that while religious pilgrimages are important to many, they should be funded privately rather than from state c
Ebonyi, one of Nigeria’s less economically developed states, has been battling infrastructural deficits and high poverty rates. The state’s civil servants have repeatedly complained about delayed salaries, while pensioners cry out over unpaid gratuities. Given these challenges, many question the rationale behind allocating such a huge sum to religious s
Despite the backlash, the state government has attempted to justify the approval, stating that it is in line with previous administrations’ commitments to religious harmony and support. However, this explanation has done little to pacify critics who insist that government resources should be utilized for projects that have a direct impact on the economic well-being of citiL
As outrage grows, several organizations are calling on anti-corruption agencies and the state assembly to probe the expenditure. They argue that public funds must be accounted for, and such spending should be subject to transparency and public scrutiny.
The debate over government-sponsored pilgrimages is not new in Nigeria, but with the country’s economic struggles worsening, citizens are demanding greater accountability in how public funds are alloca
With the controversy gaining traction, it remains to be seen whether the Ebonyi State government will reconsider its decision or whether public pressure will force a policy change. One thing, however, is certain: Nigerians are increasingly unwilling to tolerate what they perceive as financial recklessness by their leaders.
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