Atiku Calls for Probe into Alleged 2026 Budget Duplications

Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has urged the National Assembly to conduct a comprehensive forensic review of the 2026 Appropriation Act. This call follows allegations of 210 billion naira in duplicative and overlapping budget allocations.

Atiku's senior special assistant on public communication, Phrank Shaibu, described these allegations as further evidence of poor fiscal management by the Federal Government. He emphasized that the timing of these revelations is critical, as Nigerians are grappling with rising inflation and high unemployment rates, despite the government's economic reforms over the past three years.

Atiku criticized the government for failing to explain the alleged duplicative budget provisions while asking citizens to make sacrifices. He called for the Auditor General of the Federation and anti-corruption agencies to independently scrutinize the budget to ensure proper allocation of public funds.

Atiku pledged that an ADC-led administration would reform Nigeria's public finance system, emphasizing transparency and accountability.