Atiku Abubakar, who represented the African Democratic Congress during the 2027 presidential race, has urged a comprehensive probe into the 2026 Appropriation Act established by President Bola Tinubu’s government. This demand follows reports surfacing about over N210 billion in potential budget overlaps and duplicates.
Speaking through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the former Vice President characterized these fiscal irregularities as proof of ineffective financial governance. He argued that these issues exacerbate the struggles of citizens already facing intense inflation and joblessness.
Atiku asserted that these budget concerns are part of a worrying trend regarding public financial integrity. He pointed to instances where funds were allocated for projects beyond the scope of specific agencies or included questionable multi-billion naira insertions. He criticized the current administration for its lack of transparency and frequent denials regarding these financial practices.
The statement specifically highlighted the fuel subsidy issue, noting that while the government claimed the subsidy ended in 2023, NNPC Limited’s 2024 audits indicated over N7.13 trillion was spent on energy security, which the company categorized as under-recovery. Atiku argued this contradicts official narratives, leaving families to struggle with rising costs while businesses continue to fail under current economic pressures.
