Atiku Demands Forensic Probe Of 2026 Budget Over Alleged ₦210bn Duplicate Allocations

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has called on the National Assembly to immediately launch a comprehensive forensic investigation into the 2026 Appropriation Act following reports of more than ₦210 billion in alleged duplicated and overlapping budget allocations.

In a statement issued on Saturday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the former vice president described the reported budget irregularities as evidence of what he called widespread fiscal mismanagement under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

According to Atiku, the alleged duplication of budget provisions raises serious concerns about accountability and transparency in the management of public finances.

"For more than three years, Nigerians have been subjected to relentless hardship. They were told that fuel subsidy removal, exchange rate unification, higher taxes and rising tariffs were bitter pills that would eventually restore economic stability. Yet today, the same government cannot explain how more than ₦210 billion found its way into duplicated and overlapping budget provisions," he said.

The former vice president argued that the reported discovery adds to what he described as a growing pattern of questionable budgetary practices, including the allocation of funds for projects outside the statutory mandates of government agencies and the insertion of multi-billion-naira projects into the national budget.

Atiku also referenced the audited 2024 financial statements of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, which, according to him, showed that the company spent ₦7.13 trillion on what it classified as "Energy Security Expenses."

He maintained that the expenditure, which he said the NNPC identified as petrol subsidy payments, contradicted the Federal Government's position that fuel subsidy had been removed in 2023.

The ADC presidential candidate further argued that what he described as fiscal indiscipline has contributed to worsening living conditions across the country.

According to him, many Nigerian families are struggling to meet basic needs, businesses are shutting down under economic pressure and unemployment remains high despite government claims of economic progress.

He also called on the Auditor-General of the Federation, anti-corruption agencies and civil society organisations to independently scrutinise the 2026 budget.

Atiku urged the relevant institutions to identify those responsible for the alleged duplicated allocations and ensure that any improperly appropriated public funds are recovered.

He said an ADC-led administration would prioritise transparency and accountability in public financial management through reforms aimed at strengthening the budgeting process.

According to him, these reforms would include transparent budgeting, zero-based expenditure planning, digital tracking of public spending and strict personal accountability for public office holders.

"When the owner of the barn invites goats to keep watch over his harvest, he should not be surprised when hunger follows abundance. Nigeria deserves custodians of her commonwealth, not Bourdillon caretakers of waste," Atiku said.

The allegations come amid ongoing public debate over transparency, budget implementation and fiscal accountability, with the National Assembly yet to officially respond to Atiku's call for a forensic review of the 2026 Appropriation Act.