Fresh Questions Trail Deputy Speaker Kalu’s ₦780m Church Project As GOMEP Demands Full Disclosure

ABUJA — The Guild of Online Media Editors and Publishers of Nigeria (GOMEP-NG) has intensified calls for transparency over the controversial ₦780 million budgetary allocation for evangelical musical instruments and public address systems for churches in Bende Federal Constituency, Abia State, urging Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, to provide detailed explanations on the project.

Although the Deputy Speaker recently clarified that the allocation stands at ₦780 million—not ₦1 billion as earlier reported—the Guild said the revised figure has done little to allay public concerns over the necessity, justification, and transparency of the expenditure.

In a statement issued by its National President, Comrade Akpovoke Otiti, GOMEP-NG argued that Kalu’s clarification has raised more questions than answers, particularly at a time when many Nigerians are struggling with economic hardship, unemployment, poor infrastructure, and declining social services.

The Guild demanded that the Deputy Speaker publish the original budget line and provide a detailed breakdown of how the ₦780 million will be spent. It also questioned why a faith-based intervention was prioritised over investments in schools, vocational centres, youth organisations, and other community development initiatives.

GOMEP-NG further challenged the Deputy Speaker to provide empirical evidence supporting the claim that supplying musical instruments and public address systems to churches would help curb drug abuse, sexual offences, and other social vices among young people.

Among other issues, the Guild asked how much of the allocation is earmarked specifically for musical instruments and sound equipment, the criteria for selecting the proposed 130 beneficiary churches, whether the list of beneficiaries and allocations would be made public, and who would handle the procurement process.

The organisation also sought assurances that the project would comply with the Public Procurement Act, that awarded contracts would be publicly disclosed, and that an independent audit would be conducted and its report released upon completion.

GOMEP-NG equally questioned whether the intervention would extend to mosques and other faith-based organisations or remain exclusive to churches, asking how such a programme aligns with the constitutional principle of religious neutrality.

The Guild requested clarification on the performance indicators that would be used to measure the project’s success, the mechanisms for preventing diversion or political patronage, whether key stakeholders were consulted before the intervention was approved, and whether the programme is a one-time constituency project or part of a recurring budget framework.

Otiti stressed that the questions were not intended to undermine the Deputy Speaker or faith-based organisations but were necessary in the interest of transparency and public accountability.

He urged Kalu to release comprehensive documentation, including procurement records, beneficiary lists, implementation timelines, and monitoring mechanisms.

“At a time when Nigerians are making enormous economic sacrifices, every naira appropriated from public funds must not only be lawful but must also be seen to serve the overriding public interest,” Otiti said.



The Guild reaffirmed its commitment to promoting accountability, transparency, and responsible public discourse through ethical journalism and constructive engagement with public institutions.