Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has launched a fresh attack on the President Bola Tinubu administration, alleging that the discovery of over ₦210 billion in duplicated allocations in the 2026 budget has exposed what he described as the failure of the government’s economic reforms.
In a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku accused the Federal Government of fiscal recklessness despite asking Nigerians to endure the hardship caused by fuel subsidy removal, exchange rate unification and higher taxes.
According to him, the reported duplication of budgetary provisions has exposed deep-rooted weaknesses in the country’s public financial management system and undermined the administration’s claims of economic recovery.
He argued that while Nigerians were promised long-term benefits from the reforms, the government had failed to demonstrate the transparency and fiscal discipline expected from an administration demanding sacrifice from its citizens.
Atiku alleged that the 2026 budget was riddled with overlapping projects, questionable insertions and wasteful spending capable of eroding public confidence and weakening investor trust.
The former vice president also revisited the controversy over fuel subsidy payments, claiming that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited’s audited 2024 financial statements showed that ₦7.13 trillion was spent under “Energy Security Expenses.”
He alleged that the expenditure suggested petrol subsidy payments had continued despite the Federal Government’s announcement that the subsidy was removed in 2023.
According to him, Nigerians deserve a full explanation on the expenditure and those who approved it.
Atiku maintained that repeated cases of budget duplication and questionable allocations point to a systemic failure in budget discipline.
He lamented that despite official claims of improving macroeconomic indicators, many Nigerians continue to face rising inflation, soaring transport costs, unemployment, business closures and worsening living conditions.
“A nation cannot budget for waste and expect prosperity,” Atiku said.
He also questioned the government’s continued borrowing despite improved oil prices, insisting that the real issue was whether borrowed funds were delivering meaningful benefits to Nigerians.
The ADC presidential candidate called on the National Assembly to conduct a comprehensive forensic review of the 2026 Appropriation Act, publish all duplicated budget items, identify those responsible and recover any improperly appropriated funds.
He also urged the Auditor-General of the Federation, anti-corruption agencies and civil society organisations to independently scrutinise the budget and make their findings public.
Atiku pledged that if elected, an ADC administration would introduce transparent budgeting, zero-based expenditure planning, digital monitoring of public spending, stronger legislative oversight and strict accountability in the management of public resources.
He maintained that Nigeria’s greatest challenge was not a lack of resources but poor management of available wealth.
