ABUJA – The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has issued a scathing critique of President Bola Tinubu’s N54.4 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill, labeling it a "budget without accountability".
In a statement released on December 19, 2025, the opposition coalition warned that Nigerians have lost faith in the administration’s fiscal plans.
A ‘Cycle of Opacity’
According to High Chief Peter Ameh, National Secretary of the CUPP, the proposed budget is overshadowed by a "cycle of budgetary opacity and failed expectations". The coalition highlighted a significant breach in fiscal discipline, noting that the Budget Office of the Federation has failed to publish a comprehensive implementation report for 2025.
"This marks the first time in 15 years that quarterly performance reports have been withheld," Ameh stated, arguing that the lack of transparency violates fiscal responsibility laws and fuels suspicions of mismanagement.
Broken Promises and Rising Debt
The CUPP expressed deep concern over the disconnect between government reforms and the reality of Nigerian citizens. While the removal of fuel subsidies and tax hikes were intended to free up revenue, the coalition argues these measures have only led to:
* Increased Borrowing: National debt has ballooned to over N150 trillion.
* Persistent Hardship: Unemployment, hunger, and infrastructure deficits remain widespread despite government claims of revenue gains.
* Security Failures: Despite heavy investment in security contracts, crude oil production remains stagnant at 1.4–1.5 million barrels per day, well below the 2 million bpd target.
Mismanaged Priorities
The statement also took aim at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), citing audited statements that revealed "substantial expenditures" on entertainment and security while the nation grapples with record debt servicing costs.
Furthermore, the CUPP criticized the administration’s "overlapping budget cycles," which involve extending 2024 capital spending into 2025 while simultaneously introducing new plans. This practice, the coalition claims, leads to poor execution and a reliance on more borrowing to bridge deficits.
Call for Independent Audits
Describing the National Assembly as a "rubber-stamp legislature," the CUPP asserted that public confidence in the government is at an all-time low.
The coalition demanded a full disclosure of the 2025 budget performance and independent audits of major expenditures before the 2026 proposal is considered. "Nations thrive on truth, competence, and integrity—not on opaque finances or unrealistic projections," Ameh concluded.
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