Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, Atiku Abubakar, has called for a comprehensive investigation into the 2026 Appropriation Act of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Atiku’s demand followed reports of alleged duplicated and overlapping budget allocations worth more than N210 billion, which he described as a sign of poor fiscal management by the Federal Government.
In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the former Vice President accused the administration of failing to demonstrate transparency in the management of public funds.
He described those overseeing the nation’s finances as “caretakers of waste,” insisting that the alleged irregularities must be thoroughly investigated to restore confidence in Nigeria’s budgeting process.
Atiku said the controversy surrounding the 2026 budget came amid worsening economic challenges, including inflation, unemployment and rising living costs, despite the government’s economic reforms.
According to him, the al
leged budget discrepancies were not isolated incidents but part of a wider pattern of questionable financial practices that had raised concerns about accountability in public spending.
He alleged that
Nigerians had witnessed allocations for projects outside the mandates of government agencies, controversial budget insertions running into billions of naira, and expenditures that failed to address the immediate needs of citizens.
“Nothing illustrates the bankruptcy of this administration’s so-called reforms more than the fuel subsidy deception,” Atiku stated, accusing the government of misleading Nigerians over the removal of fuel subsidy.
He claimed that despite assurances that subsidy had ended in 2023, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) reportedly spent N7.13 trillion in 2024 on what it termed “Energy Security Expenses,” which he described as petrol subsidy under-recovery.
Atiku argued that the development showed Nigerians were not given the full details of government policies and their financial implications.
The ADC presidentia
l candidate further criticised the economic situation in the country, saying many families were struggling to afford basic necessities, businesses were closing due to high operating costs, and many graduates remained unemployed.
He urged the Federal Government to embrace transparency, accountability and responsible financial management to address growing public concerns over the economy.
Samuel Agada is a writer and media contributor from Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria. He is a graduate of Biochemistry from the University of Jos and a former banker with GTBank and FCMB. A prolific writer, songwriter, educator, and Gospel preacher, he is passionate about informing, inspiring, and impacting society through his work.