Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has intensified criticism of the Federal Government over the 2026 Appropriation Act, accusing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Assembly of abandoning the principles of transparency and accountability in the management of public finances.
Frank, in a statement issued on Wednesday, said the controversy surrounding the implementation of the 2026 budget had exposed what he described as serious weaknesses in Nigeria’s fiscal governance, insisting that allegations of inflated allocations, questionable expenditures and suspicious budget insertions have damaged public confidence in government.
According to him, the handling of the budget has become a referendum on the administration’s commitment to accountability, adding that the National Assembly also failed to exercise its constitutional oversight responsibilities.
He argued that rather than subjecting the Executive’s spending proposals to rigorous scrutiny, the legislature has created the impression that it is unwilling to challenge the Presidency on matters affecting public finance.
“The recent revelations surrounding the 2026 budget have strengthened public concerns about the state of governance and accountability in Nigeria,” Frank said.
The former APC spokesman maintained that the controversy should compel the government to embrace greater openness by providing detailed explanations for disputed allocations and addressing public concerns over the appropriation process.
He also called on Nigeria’s development partners to strengthen transparency safeguards attached to future financial assistance, arguing that stricter monitoring mechanisms would help ensure that public resources and external support are deployed for the benefit of ordinary Nigerians.
Frank welcomed reports that lawmakers in the United States are considering closer scrutiny of assistance to Nigeria, saying such measures could encourage higher standards of accountability in public financial management.
He further criticised what he described as the failure of the current administration to demonstrate zero tolerance for alleged fiscal abuses, warning that weak accountability mechanisms undermine public trust and democratic governance.
Despite his criticism, Frank urged Nigerians to continue seeking reforms through lawful and democratic means, stressing that sustainable change can only be achieved through active civic participation and the ballot box.
He called on citizens to remain vigilant in demanding transparency from elected officials while insisting that public office must remain a platform for service rather than personal or political interests.
The Presidency and the leadership of the National Assembly have repeatedly maintained that the 2026 budget was prepared and passed in accordance with constitutional provisions and due legislative process, rejecting allegations of wrongdoing.