N500M Meant For Presidential Inauguration Missing

President Buhari signing the oath

According to reports, money worth about N500 million in funds which was set aside for the inauguration ceremony of President Muhammadu Buhari has gone missing.

The money, which was meant for the payment of ushers and other logistics for the services provided, was allegedly cornered by a member of the presidential transition committee.

Not less that 50 ushers, are said to have
been left stranded in Abuja due to the non-payment of their wages.

Part of the money was about N300million incurred as “aviation-related expenditure”, while also reportedly been left unpaid are some traditional artistes hired to perform at the event 

 “We do not know the whereabouts of over N500million meant to settle some bills. Some members of the inauguration committee have bolted away with it,” a source said.

“In fact out of the N500million, there is an embarrassing debt of about N300million which is yet to be settled. The aviation-related expenses had to do with the movement of facilities for visiting Heads of State and foreign dignitaries. We are busy shuttling between the Office of the SGF and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with no one claiming responsibility,” the source added.

“We engaged over 150 ushers, especially unemployed graduates and married women, but there is no money to pay them. We had votes for the payment of the stipends but some officials diverted same. The ushers are stranded, they do not know who to contact for their stipends. Those who recruited them have left office.”

One of the user narrated her story: 

 “It is sad that we stayed under the scorching sun for hours without being paid our stipends. This is just unfortunate. We want the new administration to look into the diversion of stipends meant for innocent citizens like us,”.