Quick Summary:
PDP rejects President Tinubu’s ₦58.18 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill, calling it disconnected from citizens’ realities, while the APC insists it represents fiscal stability and reform-driven growth.
Following the presentation of the ₦58.18 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill on December 19, 2025, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has formally rejected the proposal, branding it a “Budget of Consolidated Renewed Sufferings.”
The opposition’s critique has triggered a nationwide debate over the credibility of government projections and the disconnect between official figures and citizens’ lived experiences.
Core Criticisms from the PDP
In a statement issued by National Publicity Secretary Ini Ememobong, the PDP argued that the budget—titled “Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity”—fails to address the realities of hunger, inflation, and unemployment confronting Nigerians.
Growth vs. Prosperity
The PDP dismissed the government’s projected 3.98% GDP growth rate as “growth without prosperity,” noting that over 30.9% of Nigerians still live below the international extreme poverty line.
Fiscal Indiscipline
The party accused the administration of fiscal inconsistency, citing the President’s admission that the 2024 capital budget has been extended to December 2025, even as the 2025 budget remains active. The PDP described this as evidence of poor budget harmonization and weak fiscal discipline.
Inadequate Implementation
While acknowledging the ₦5.41 trillion security allocation, the PDP argued that funding alone cannot solve Nigeria’s security crisis without transparent implementation, improved personnel welfare, and enhanced intelligence capacity.
Borrowing Concerns
Party leaders criticized the budget’s heavy reliance on new borrowings, warning that it would deepen Nigeria’s debt burden without addressing structural weaknesses in revenue generation and public expenditure.
According to the PDP, the 2026 budget “prioritizes numbers over people,” failing to deliver tangible relief to households and small businesses.
The Ruling Party’s Response
The All Progressives Congress (APC) swiftly dismissed the PDP’s remarks as “shallow criticisms” lacking economic substance.
Focus on Stability
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, defended the budget, describing it as a transition from fiscal turbulence to stability. He emphasized that the proposal reflects reform-driven growth and a commitment to macroeconomic recovery.
Call for Scrutiny
While defending the budget’s foundations, Speaker Abbas also urged caution against unrealistic projections, assuring Nigerians that the legislature will conduct diligent oversight to ensure accountability and transparency in implementation.