Deputy Speaker’s Office Clears Air on Report of N1bn in 2026 Budget for Musical Instruments in Bende Churches

The Office of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has dismissed reports alleging that N1 billion was allocated in the 2026 federal budget solely for the purchase of musical instruments for churches in Bende Federal Constituency, describing the claims as misleading.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Deputy Speaker’s Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, the office explained that the budgetary provision is part of 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 stands at N780 million after Value Added Tax (VAT) and other statutory deductions, contrary to reports suggesting a N1 billion earmark for musical instruments alone.

The office disclosed that Bende Federal Constituency comprises 13 electoral wards and more than 200 churches, with the first phase of the programme expected to cover about 130 churches—an average of 10 churches in each ward. Each participating church is projected to receive between N5 million and N6 million to strengthen youth-focused community engagement initiatives.

It explained that the intervention would fund the procurement of evangelical equipment, including public address systems and related facilities, to support campaigns against drug abuse, sexual offences, violent crimes and other social vices, while promoting discipline, moral values, peace and character development among young people.

The Deputy Speaker’s office stressed that government investment should not be limited to physical infrastructure but should also extend to initiatives that promote ethical values and social cohesion.

It noted that traditional institutions have consistently received government support through the provision of town halls and community centres to preserve cultural values, adding that faith-based organisations should likewise be supported in their role of promoting moral standards and positive social behaviour.

According to the statement, similar faith-based youth development initiatives have been implemented in other parts of the country, although such an approach is yet to gain widespread acceptance in the South-East. The programme, it said, is intended to strengthen existing church platforms for youth engagement in Bende.

The office further clarified that the 2026 Appropriation Act has not yet been implemented, explaining that the Federal Government is still operating under the 2024 and 2025 budgets. It stated that no funds have been released for the project and that procurement processes have not commenced.

It also revealed that a technical error was discovered in the procurement description and that a letter of corrigendum had been initiated through the National Assembly’s Appropriation Committee and the Budget Office to correct the description before implementation.

The statement maintained that the intervention goes beyond the acquisition of equipment, describing it as an effort to leverage trusted community institutions to promote youth reorientation, unity and moral instruction across the constituency.

While urging the media and members of the public to disregard what it described as sensational reports, the Deputy Speaker’s office reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and accountability, saying it remains open to providing clarifications on constituency projects and the appropriation of public funds.