Atiku demands forensic probe into 2026 budget over alleged ₦210bn duplicated allocations

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called for a forensic investigation into the 2026 federal budget following reports that more than ₦210 billion was allocated to duplicated and overlapping projects, describing the development as evidence of deepening weaknesses in Nigeria's public finance management.

In a statement issued on Saturday, July 18, 2026, by his spokesman, Phrank Shaibu, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate urged the National Assembly to conduct a comprehensive review of the 2026 Appropriation Act and hold accountable any officials found responsible for inserting or approving duplicate allocations.

"The days when budget manipulation could be dismissed as mere clerical errors must come to an end," Atiku said. "Every duplicated allocation represents a classroom not built, a hospital not equipped, a road left abandoned and a community denied development."

The former vice president also called on the Auditor-General of the Federation, anti-corruption agencies and civil society organisations to independently scrutinise the budget and publish their findings.

His remarks follow reports alleging that more than ₦210 billion in overlapping and duplicated allocations were identified in the 2026 budget, raising fresh concerns about the integrity of Nigeria's budgeting process.

Atiku argued that the alleged irregularities contradicted the Tinubu administration's calls for Nigerians to endure economic hardship in support of ongoing reforms.

"When a government asks its people to sacrifice, it must first demonstrate discipline," he said. "Instead, what Nigerians have seen is a budget riddled with duplication, questionable insertions, overlapping projects and expenditures that offend both common sense and fiscal responsibility."

The former vice president said the reported budget issues reflected a broader pattern of questionable public spending, alleging that recent budgets had contained projects outside the statutory responsibilities of government agencies as well as controversial insertions worth billions of naira.

He also questioned the government's claim that fuel subsidy had been removed, pointing to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited's audited 2024 financial statements, which recorded ₦7.13 trillion under "Energy Security Expenses".

According to Atiku, the expenditure raises questions about the continued financing of petrol subsidies despite the government's reform agenda.

"Nigerians deserve to know who authorised this expenditure, who benefited from it, and why the administration chose to market deception as economic reform," he said.

Atiku further argued that persistent concerns over public spending were eroding confidence in government and undermining economic recovery.

"The national budget is the single most important economic policy document of any government. When that document itself becomes contaminated by duplication and overlapping allocations, confidence in the entire machinery of government is undermined," he said.

The former vice president said an ADC-led administration would strengthen transparency through zero-based budgeting, digital expenditure tracking and stricter accountability measures for public officials.

The Presidency had not responded to Atiku's allegations at the time this report was filed.