Atiku Abubakar urges National Assembly to investigate N210bn budget duplication in 2026 Appropriation Act

Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, also demanded an immediate forensic investigation into the budget, citing what he described as deepening fiscal indiscipline under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. He stated that these reported duplications, alongside Nigeria's poor performance on global prosperity indicators, expose a fiscally reckless administration. In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku argued that these revelations undermine government claims of economic stability through reforms.

He maintained that a government asking citizens to endure hardship must demonstrate fiscal discipline, contrasting this with a budget he claims is "riddled with duplication, questionable insertions, overlapping projects and expenditures that offend both common sense and fiscal responsibility." Atiku also criticized the administration's handling of fuel subsidy, alleging that ₦7.13tn was spent under "Energy security expenses" in 2024, which he believes is a continuation of the petrol subsidy under a different name. He warned that such practices compromise the national budget's integrity, erode investor confidence, and weaken public trust.

Atiku urged the National Assembly to conduct a comprehensive forensic