Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has formally requested that the National Assembly initiate a thorough forensic audit of the 2026 Appropriation Act. This demand follows reports of over ₦210 billion in redundant and overlapping line items discovered within the budget.
Through his aide, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku characterized the Tinubu administration as remarkably fiscally irresponsible. He noted that while citizens endure severe economic strain due to subsidy removal and tax hikes, the government remains unable to account for these massive budgetary duplications. Atiku highlighted a broader trend of financial mismanagement, including projects assigned to agencies outside their legal mandates.
The former vice president also pointed to the NNPC Limited 2024 financial report, which indicates ₦7.13 trillion was spent on petrol subsidies despite official declarations that the subsidy program ended in 2023. He argued that such inconsistencies directly contribute to the current decline in living standards, characterized by rising unemployment and small business closures.
To address these issues, Atiku has urged the Auditor-General and anti-corruption agencies to independently probe the budget and recover misappropriated funds. He emphasized that an ADC-led government would prioritize transparent, zero-based budgeting and mandate strict accountability for all public officials handling national resources.
