The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly criticised President Bola Tinubu’s 2026 budget proposal, arguing that it failed to address the economic and security challenges confronting Nigerians and instead worsens the hardship faced by citizens.
President Tinubu on Friday presented a N58.18 trillion Appropriation Bill for the 2026 fiscal year to the National Assembly, projecting signs of gradual economic recovery and pledging tighter fiscal discipline.
However, the main opposition party dismissed the proposal, branding it a “Budget of Consolidated Renewed Sufferings.”
In a statement issued by its spokesperson, Ini Ememobong, the PDP said the budget does not adequately respond to the realities of widespread poverty, soaring cost of living, and persistent insecurity across the country.
The party accused the administration of prioritising elite comfort while ordinary Nigerians continue to struggle under worsening economic conditions.
According to the PDP, the Tinubu administration’s claims of economic stabilisation are not reflected in the daily experiences of most citizens.
The party faulted the president’s reference to a 3.98 per cent Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate as evidence of progress, arguing that such growth has not translated into improved welfare for the majority of Nigerians.
Citing the 2025 World Bank Poverty and Equity Brief, the PDP noted that more than 30.9 per cent of Nigerians are living below the international extreme poverty line.
The party said this statistic highlights what it described as “growth without prosperity,” where macroeconomic indicators improve on paper while poverty remains deeply entrenched.
The opposition party also questioned the credibility of the reported GDP growth figure, saying the government failed to clearly identify the sectors driving the growth or the segments of the population benefiting from it.
It compared the current growth rate unfavourably with the 6.87 per cent recorded in 2013 under the previous PDP-led administration, which it said was largely driven by non-oil sectors such as agriculture and trade.
On security, the PDP expressed concern that rising allocations alone would not resolve the country’s worsening insecurity without transparency and accountability.
Ememobong called for more effective use of security funds, stressing the need for modern equipment, adequate ammunition, improved intelligence gathering, and better welfare for security personnel battling increasingly sophisticated criminal groups.
The party maintained that without a clear focus on reducing poverty, curbing inflation, and restoring security, the 2026 budget would do little to ease the suffering of Nigerians.
It urged the National Assembly to critically scrutinise the proposal and ensure that public spending genuinely reflects the needs and aspirations of the people.
