By Our Reporter

A wave of public debate has followed reports alleging that the Nasarawa State Government spent ₦707 million on refreshments and meals within a nine-month period, allegedly at the expense of rural water supply and other critical infrastructure. However, a former Public Relations Officer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Hon. Ibrahim Hamza, has strongly refuted the narrative, describing it as misleading and disconnected from realities on the ground.

In an interview with Nasarawa Eye, Hamza dismissed the claims as a misrepresentation of government spending, arguing that the reports oversimplified budgetary figures and failed to reflect how public expenditure is classified and implemented. According to him, the viral narrative has painted an unfair picture of governance in the state and wrongly suggested that the administration of Governor Abdullahi Sule has misplaced priorities.
“The interpretation being circulated does not reflect the realities on ground,” Hamza said. “Anyone who follows developments in Nasarawa State can attest to the ongoing projects across rural communities.”
Hamza explained that budget lines often grouped under general headings such as “refreshments and meals” do not necessarily imply frivolous spending, but may include costs associated with official engagements, meetings, trainings, and government programs. He noted that isolating such figures without proper context can easily mislead the public.
Contrary to claims of neglect, Hamza maintained that the Sule administration has continued to channel resources into key sectors such as rural water supply, road construction, healthcare, and education. He pointed to what he described as visible development projects spread across various communities, particularly in rural areas that have historically lagged behind in infrastructure.
The former PDP spokesperson cautioned residents against what he termed politically motivated narratives designed to discredit the state government. He urged the public to rely on verified information and firsthand assessments rather than sensational interpretations of budget documents circulating on social and traditional media.
“Constructive criticism is healthy for democracy,” Hamza added, “but it must be based on facts, not selective data presented to score political points.”
Hamza, who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) early last year, reaffirmed his support for the current administration, emphasizing that governance should be evaluated holistically, with attention to ongoing projects and long-term development goals rather than isolated figures taken out of context.