Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate for the 2027 election, Atiku Abubakar, has called for a comprehensive investigation into the 2026 Appropriation Act following reports of more than ₦210 billion in alleged duplicated and overlapping budget allocations.
Atiku made the call in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, describing the alleged budget duplication as another indication of what he termed poor fiscal management by the President Bola Tinubu administration.
According to the former Vice President, the controversy comes at a time when many Nigerians are battling rising inflation, unemployment and worsening economic hardship despite the government’s claims that its economic reforms are delivering positive results.
He argued that the latest allegations were part of a broader pattern of questionable budget practices, citing previous concerns over projects allegedly inserted outside the statutory responsibilities of government agencies and controversial budget allocations running into billions of naira.
Atiku also criticised the Federal Government’s handling of the fuel subsidy policy, alleging that Nigerians were misled about the removal of the subsidy in 2023.
Quoting the audited 2024 financial statements of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, he claimed that ₦7.13 trillion was still spent on what the company described as “Energy Security Expenses,” which he said amounted to petrol subsidy payments.
He maintained that the continued economic hardship experienced by Nigerians contradicts official claims of economic progress, noting that many households are struggling with the rising cost of living, businesses are shutting down and unemployment remains widespread.
The former Vice President urged the government to ensure greater transparency and accountability in public finance, insisting that the allegations surrounding the 2026 budget should be thoroughly investigated to restore public confidence in the nation’s budgeting process.
