Atiku Abubakar, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate for the 2027 elections, has demanded a thorough audit of the 2026 budget passed under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Atiku’s call for a review follows revelations pointing to roughly N210 billion in suspected duplicate and overlapping budget line items.
The former Vice President raised these concerns in an official statement released by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu.
He also cited the alleged duplication as more proof of the federal government’s bad fiscal management.
The ADC presidential candidate emphasized that these budgetary issues are surfacing while citizens face soaring inflation, deep unemployment, and deteriorating economic conditions despite the current administration’s fiscal policies.
He further stressed that the latest findings reflect a broader trend of dubious spending plans that continually undermine trust in the transparency and integrity of Nigeria’s public financial management.
Additionally, Atiku underscored that Nigeria’s worsening economic situation directly clashes with official pledges of financial growth, pointing out that a vast number of citizens are still grappling with an escalating cost of living.
The former Vice President lamented that families can no longer afford basic nutrition, businesses are shutting down under financial strain, and thousands of graduates remain jobless despite state claims that current reforms are delivering positive results.
Read Also: ADC Blames Tinubu’s Policies for Rising Poverty and Hunger in Nigeria
Backstory…
Atiku Abubakar’s call for a probe into the 2026 budget reflects the intensifying political battle between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition ahead of the 2027 general election.
Since President Bola Tinubu assumed office in 2023, successive federal budgets have come under scrutiny from opposition parties, civil society organisations and economic experts over issues including deficit financing, debt accumulation, implementation gaps and allegations of inflated allocations.
The opposition has repeatedly accused the administration of failing to translate record budgetary spending into tangible improvements in infrastructure, security and the cost of living, allegations the Federal Government has consistently rejected.
Read Also: Atiku Issues Firm 7-Day Ultimatum to Tinubu on Federal Audit Service Bill or Face Removal
