Atiku made the allegation in a statement issued on Saturday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, where he argued that the reported budget irregularities reflected what he described as a failure of leadership rather than a lack of national resources.
The former vice president said the alleged duplication of budget provisions had raised concerns about the credibility of the government’s economic reforms, especially after Nigerians had endured the effects of fuel subsidy removal, exchange rate adjustments, tax increases, and higher tariffs.
According to him, any administration that demands sacrifices from citizens must demonstrate strong fiscal discipline, transparency, and accountability in the management of public funds.
Atiku alleged that the reported budget issues were part of a wider pattern of questionable budget practices, including overlapping allocations and projects assigned outside the statutory responsibilities of some government agencies.
He described the national budget as a critical document that should reflect development priorities, strengthen investor confidence, and assure citizens that public resources are being used responsibly.
The ADC presidential candidate further linked alleged fiscal mismanagement to the economic difficulties facing Nigerians, citing rising living costs, unemployment, business closures, and insecurity as major concerns affecting households and businesses.
“Families are skipping meals. Parents are struggling to pay school fees. Small businesses are shutting their doors. Manufacturers continue to battle soaring production costs,” he said.
Atiku argued that effective governance requires disciplined management of resources, warning that a country cannot achieve prosperity while tolerating waste and inefficiency.
He questioned the continued reliance on borrowing despite improved oil revenues and called for a comprehensive review of the 2026 Appropriation Act to identify alleged duplicated allocations and ensure accountability.
The former vice president urged the National Assembly, Auditor-General of the Federation, anti-corruption agencies, and civil society organisations to independently examine the budget and make their findings public.
He said every mismanaged allocation represents missed opportunities for development, adding that public funds should be directed towards projects that improve the lives of citizens.
Atiku pledged that an ADC-led administration under his leadership would prioritise transparent budgeting, zero-based expenditure planning, digital tracking of public spending, stronger oversight, and stricter accountability for public officials.
He maintained that Nigeria’s major challenge is not a shortage of resources but the need for responsible and disciplined management of the nation’s wealth.
