The Ebonyi State Government has dismissed claims by Chika Nwoba that the state budgeted ₦16 billion for the running of its Abuja Liaison Office, describing the allegation as false, malicious, fictitious, and deliberately misleading.
In a statement issued, the Special Assistant to the Governor on New Media, Leo Ekene Oketa, clarified that the budgetary provision in question is earmarked for the development of a state-owned property located in the Central Business District of Abuja and not for the operation of the Abuja Liaison Office.
According to the statement, Ebonyi State owns a property in the Federal Capital Territory where a 12-storey building previously stood before it was demolished by the state government in 2016.
The provision captured in the 2026 budget, the government explained, is intended for the redevelopment of the property to serve the long-term interests of the state and its people.
The government further noted that the actual recurrent expenditure for the Abuja Liaison Office remains within the range traditionally budgeted over the years, with personnel and operational costs estimated at approximately ₦77 million.
Oketa emphasized that Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru remains committed to transparent governance, prudent management of public resources, and the sustained development of Ebonyi State.
He urged members of the public to disregard misleading narratives and rely on verified information regarding government policies, projects, and budgetary allocations.
The statement reaffirmed the administration’s dedication to accountability, transparency, and the effective utilization of state resources for the benefit of Ebonyi citizens.
