Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on the National Assembly to identify and publicly name officials responsible for the alleged duplication and overlapping of N210 billion in the 2026 Appropriation Act.
The African Democratic Congress presidential candidate also demanded a forensic audit of the budget, arguing that the reported irregularities point to serious weaknesses in public financial management under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
In a statement issued on Saturday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the allegations cast doubt on the government’s claims that its economic reforms are strengthening the country’s finances.
He argued that Nigerians had endured the effects of major policy changes, including the removal of fuel subsidy, exchange rate reforms and increased taxes, on the understanding that the measures would improve economic stability. According to him, the reported budget duplication contradicts that narrative.
Atiku maintained that any administration asking citizens to make sacrifices should first demonstrate accountability and prudent management of public funds. He described the alleged duplication, project overlaps and questionable budget insertions as unacceptable.
The former vice president also linked the issue to what he described as a wider pattern of poor fiscal management. He referenced the 2024 audited financial statements of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, claiming that N7.13 trillion recorded as “Energy security expenses” amounted to the continuation of petrol subsidy under another name.
According to him, the government failed to fully disclose the true cost of the subsidy policy, arguing that the expenditure was simply reclassified rather than eliminated.
Atiku warned that doubts over the integrity of the national budget could weaken investor confidence and further reduce public trust in government institutions.
He said the consequences of poor fiscal management were already being felt by Nigerians through rising living costs, struggling businesses, unemployment and inflation.
The former vice president called on the National Assembly to conduct a comprehensive forensic review of the 2026 budget, publish all duplicated allocations, identify those responsible and ensure that improperly allocated funds are recovered.
He also urged the Auditor-General of the Federation, anti-corruption agencies and civil society organisations to independently examine the budget.
According to Atiku, an ADC-led administration would prioritise transparent budgeting, adopt zero-based budgeting, strengthen legislative oversight, deploy digital tools to monitor public spending and enforce greater accountability among public officials.
His remarks come amid continued debate over the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms, including the removal of petrol subsidy, exchange rate liberalisation and tax measures introduced since 2023.
While the Federal Government has defended the policies as necessary steps to stabilise the economy, improve government revenue and attract investment, opposition parties and organised labour maintain that the reforms have worsened the cost-of-living crisis for many Nigerians.
Atiku’s latest comments are expected to fuel further debate over the 2026 budget as political activities ahead of the 2027 general election gather momentum.
