Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has criticised President Bola Tinubu over the government’s budget implementation and its promise of cheaper transport fares.
Atiku raised the concerns on Thursday, October 1, during his Independence Day address at the ADC national headquarters in Abuja.
Atiku questions overlapping budgets
Atiku questioned the decision to extend the implementation of the 2025 budget into 2026 while the 2026 budget is also in operation.
“The confusion extends to your budgets. You have just signed an extension keeping the 2025 budget in operation until the last day of 2026. The 2026 budget exists alongside it. Soon, your government will ask Nigerians to examine a 2027 budget. How many budgets must be open at once before you can tell the country what was funded, what was completed and what remains unpaid? A budget should be a timetable for delivery, not a ball passed from one year to the next.”
He said the arrangement made it harder for Nigerians to determine which projects had been funded, completed or remained outstanding.
Atiku challenges cheaper transport promise
The ADC candidate also questioned the government’s announcement of lower transport fares from October 1.
“Bola, was this a Yahoo Yahoo promise or a hurried reply to my production subsidy proposal? You advertised cheaper transport from October 1. Today is October 1, and commuters are still asking where they can find the lower fares. Show them the routes and the prices. Nigerians cannot board an announcement.”
Atiku called on the government to publish the routes covered by the fare reduction, the previous and new fares, and the number of people benefiting from the initiative.
“Bola, publish the routes, the fares and the number of people benefiting. Show Nigerians the cheaper journey you promised.”
Atiku says Nigerians need results
Atiku also criticised what he described as the administration’s focus on future promises while Nigerians continue to deal with high living costs.
“My dear Bola, you said the people ‘cannot wait for tomorrow.’ On that, I agree with you. Yet almost every answer in your address was about tomorrow. But Nigerians are hungry today. They pay transport fares today. They need jobs and safety today.”
He said the government should be judged by the practical impact of its policies on Nigerians, including their ability to afford food, transportation, healthcare and other basic needs.
Atiku also restated his proposal for a production subsidy tied to fuel refined in Nigeria, saying his plan would focus on reducing the cost of petrol for consumers.
“We will introduce a capped, budgeted production subsidy tied to verified fuel refined in Nigeria, including fuel from modular refineries. Imported petrol will not qualify. The benefit must reach consumers through lower pump prices. We will publish the costs, independently audit the payments and cut government waste to help fund the programme.”
Atiku’s comments came a day after President Tinubu delivered his Independence Day address, in which he highlighted the government’s economic reforms and recent economic growth. (Punch Newspapers)
